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SAUL: 



A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS 



HENRY ILIOWIZI, 



2>^;r^-^ 



COPVRIOHT 1894. BY THE AUTHOR. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PRESS OF AVIL PRINTING COMPANY. 
1894. 



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33ij;^iciTtlon* 



TO 



MISS BSTHBR BAUM 

THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY 
DEDICATED. 



Dear Madam: 

I beg herewith to avail myself of the author's privilege of dedicating 
this, my new effort, to one whose blessed career typifies the Jewish ideal of 
self-sacrificing devotion to the alleviation of human misery. Ostentatious and 
frivolous as is our age, the hungry soul contemplates with pleasure the vestal 
consecration of an humble life adorned by the beauty of feminine gentleness, 
religious sincerity, womanly reserve, and all those virtues which grace that 
divine womanhood to whom we are indebted for our prophets and poets. 
While feminine extravagance lavishes enormous sums to gratify vanity, you, 
dear Madam, are wearing out your precious life in the incessant endeavors to 
diminish the aggregate of human wretchedness, rising early and retiring late, 
ever among the cheerless haunts and hovels of the poor and the needy, with 
compassion visibly beaming from your immaculate counteiwince. No poetry 
is half as beautiful as the grandiose epic of a devoted life, illustrated by the 
luminous trail of a love-inspired soul. That Israel's benign God may prolong 
your days and crown your gentle ministration with the success philanthropy 
seeks as her ultimate reward, is the wish and earnest prayer of 

Your sincere friend, 

HENRY ILIOWIZI. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



THE stirring period in Israel's history covered by the reign of Saul and 
David, and culminating in the glorious rule of Solomon, furnishes 
abundant material for a trilogy, and " Saul " is the first part thereof 
herewith presented to the public. The ambition to produce a Shakespearean 
drama is out of the question. It is very strange that the dramatic genius of the 
ages, while it exhausted itself in singing and dramatizing events which might as 
well have been consigned to oblivion, found, in the annals of the eternal race, 
nothing worthier of its poetic inspiration than the preposterous production of a 
caricature like Shylock. What an everlasting monument of studied unfairness ! 
True, we have a " Nathan the Wise," but its rare presentation on the stage, 
coupled with its unpopularity with the masses — that hydra-headed ass of history 
— may be accepted as a sufficient cause for the paucity we alluded to. For 
genius is neither beyond prejudice nor above material interest. Years ago, 
when " Joseph" appeared in print, a venerable colleague expressed the wish to 
see it " auf den Brettern die die Welt bedeuten." The literary gentleman 
added, that " from such a pulpit, perhaps, our young people might be reached 
more effectively than from our Temple pulpits." The recent performance of 
"Joseph" by "Our Students of Jewish History," made a deep impression on 
the large gathering who came to witness the Biblical drama. " Saul " will 
appear more pretentious, but the omission of a few paragraphs in Act II. — 
that is m Samuel's mystic version of creation — will enable intelligent amateurs 
to play it successfully. As to the professional, let him study the characters of 
Saul, Samuel, Jonathan and David. The dramatization and personification of 
Israel's errors, heroism and martyrdom are tasks for which no genius is toa 
lofty, alas ! but many are too blind to perceive the v/ondrous warp and woof 
of which his epic tale is woven. 

THE AUTHOR. 
Philadelphia, July, 1894. 



ARGUMENT. 

ISRAEL'S Elders urge Samuel to choose for them a king. He points to the 
serious aspects of the proposed change in the theocracy, but Saul is 
anointed and presented to the tribes. David is a youthful shepherd. 
Jonathan is a daring warrior. Saul displeases Samuel by disregarding his 
order, and the prophet's reprimand dishea^ens the king. A successful war 
against Ammon affords him a passing ray of cheer. Samuel trains prophetic 
teachers. He orders a war of extermination against Amalek, and on hearing 
that Saul failed to carry out fully the divine behest, he informs him that the 
Lord had torn the kingdom from his hand. Saul is plunged in melancholy. 
Michal happens to see David in Judean territory, and is desperately in love 
with the youth. It is David whom Samuel anoints secretly as Israel's future 
king. In a war with the Philistines their champion, Goliath, challenges the 
Hebrews to send a man to meet him in single combat. Saul offers his daughter 
Michal to v/homsoever would defeat the giant. David appears on the scene, 
kills Goliath, and the consequence is a victory over the Philistines, which the 
damsels celebrate by a song in which David is credited with the greatest 
triumph. Jealousy maddens Saul, who suspects David to be his successor. 
David's presence before the king as a minstrel, called in to allay the gloom 
of the monarch, while it endears the youth to Jonathan, who loves him 
passionately, gives the princess a chance to confess her love to the Judean 
singer and hero. In a fit of madness Saul makes an attempt on David's life, 
who escapes unhurt. Jonathan faces his father's jealousy, and persuades him 
to give David the promised girl. This is done, however, only to entrap David, 
and Doeg receives secret orders to assassinate the bridegroom while retired 
with his bride. Jonathan discovers Saul's evil design, and saves the life of his 
friend. Samuel dies with a significant prophecy on his lips. Saul is furious, 
revels in atrocities, lays many schemes to overtake David, and is only sobered 
of his rancor after he falls into the hand of his supposed adversary, who 
generously spares his life. Saul confesses his wrong and asks David to return, 
who prefers to keep aloof from the court. Messengers inform the king that 
Philistia is out in force. He hurries home. Things look very serious. In 
his perplexity he resorts to a witch at Endor who conjures up Samuel's ghost. 
The spectre foretells disaster. Jonathan has a pathetic interview with his 
father. A plan of quick action is agreed upon. It fails. The Hebrews lose 
the battle. Jonathan falls. Saul is wounded, escapes, tries to kill himself, 
and is stabbed by an Amalekite. Retired in Philistine territory, David expects 
news from the seat of war. At Ziklag he is informed of Israel's disaster. 
The Elders of Judah arrive to proclaim him king, announcing the end of the 
House of Saul. David is deeply distressed by the fall of Saul and Jonathan, 
and he utters his pain in song. 



DRAMATIS PERSON/C. 



Saul 


King of Israel. 


Ahinoam 


His wife. 


Jonathan 


Their son. 


MiCHAL 


Their daughter. 


Abner 


Saul's general. 


DOEG 


His armor-bearer. 


Samuel 


Israel's leader and prophet, 


Nathan and Gad 


Samuel's followers. 


ABIATHA.R 


A priest. 


Jesse 


A farmer. 


David 


His son. 


JOAK 


David's follower. 


Goliath 


A Philistine giant. 


Agag 


King of the Amalekites. 



The Witch of Endor, Elders, Citizens, Damsels, Chorus, Hebrew and Philis- 
tine Soldiers, Messengers, Attendants, Servants, etc. 



Excepting Ziklag, the last scene, which is in Philistia, all other scenes take 
place on Hebrew territory. 



SAUL. 



ACT I. 



Scene I. — Samuel's Home at Ramah. 

Samuel (to Israel's Elders). 

Thus do our tribes insist on being yoked 

With pompous royalty and martial show, 

Aping the habitants of Gath unused 

To patriarchal guidance heaven-inspired, 

Those noble men and women sent to fire 

Israel's unsteady heart, too oft unmoved 

By faith, in foresight short, in reverence poor. 

Unwholesome food ye ask, as greedy youth, 

Unwarned not, alas ! but unenlightened. — 

A king ye crave, and ye shall serve a king, 

A lord who shall your sons appoint to do 

His biddings, of your daughters minions pick 

To feed his lust, while of the herd, as of 

The granary and vineyard, his will be 

The choicest tithe, and more perchance ; beside 

The sacrifice of blood exacted by 

A monarch unrestrained Ambition to 

Appease by war and conquest. Ay, ye shall serve 

A mortal King hereafter, hitherto 

The One enthroned above the heaven of heavens 

Having been our fathers' Guardian Lord. 

First Elder. The people clamor for a chief to fight 
Their battles and be judge in peace; herein 



We voice their seutimeut, unorganized 
To break the yoke Philistia holds tight 
Around our necks. What evils may be worse 
Than those we stood and bear unremedied ? 

Second Elder. Yea, let us have a king to guard our homes, 
And we shall bear the burdens of his court 
In lieu of paying ransoms to our foes, 
And see our cities plundered or besieged. 

Third Elder. A king, my lord, will curb Disunion which 
Our tribes divides, now smitten one by one, 
In turn by Ammon, Moab, Philistia 
Or treacherous Amalek, like a flock 
Unguarded by a shepherd's watchful eye. 
And since the Philistine united chose 
A prince, he from his seat in Gath will wage 
Fierce war against us, having Phoenicia in 
His grip free of resistance, emptied of 
Her sons, who on a rugged island found 
A spot whereon to rear a city, with 
The sea as fortress to protect her bounds. 

Fourth Elder. It is the people's will to have a chief 
Anointed and with powers vested, sir, 
To be in peace our judge, our strength in war ; 
And, guarded well, this land's abundance will 
A royal home with luxuries supj^ly, 
And affluence for all, now wasted in 
A struggle which consumeth more than would 
Five kingly households, not to speak of the 
Inglorious yoke we often bore and broke 
Ere long once more to feel its galling weight. 
Shall we, as hitherto, thereafter take 
Ignominy, our yearly tribute pay 
The Philistine, who would no Israelite 
Allow to bear a sword, nor would a smith 
Let ply his trade within our borders, lest 
He forge for us a weapon ? Well we know 
Thy heart, and tho' from Dan to Beer-Sheba none 
Was ever loved, obeyed, or honored more 
8 



Than thou, thy presence having blessed our land 
This many a year, no man in sight insures 
A leader for a darker day ; thy sons. 
Unlike their sire, promise naught ; thus, unless 
Forestalling evil, we against untoward 
Events, reverses and confusion arm. 
Thy life's invaluable achievements will. 
Unfruitful, run to waste, with heathendom 
In triumph lording over us ; wherefore. 
Delay not, sir, the noblest and most brave 
Among our valiant sons to make our king 
And let thy wisdom guide him in his task. 

All the Elders. Yea, choose for us a prince to marshal all 
Our tribes as one against the heathen foe, 
Whi) bleeds this land to death, we being slaves 
With but a shadow of a nation's name. 

Samuel. Well do the temper of these tribes I know, 
Who, hot as fire, with impatience glow 
To ape the heathen, barter faith away, 
Supremest sovereignty for mortal sway ! 
Four hundred years the wonders did not cease 
Since Egypt's lord dared the Most High displease, 
The thornbush glowed and plague on plague did come. 
The tyrant saw his first-born smitten dumb, 
When heaven's fire-pillar led the slave, 
A sea congealed the fugitive to save, 
And melted to devour a mighty host. 
Just as the faithless clamored : We are lost ! 
Was he a king who thus the pagan smote 
And taught the law God with His finger wrote ? 
With manna ninety hungry myriads fed, 
Almighty's truth beneath the heavens spread ? 
Or he, who careful of his master's will. 
Did thirty princedoms Avith his terrors fill, 
The Land of Promise wresting from their hands ? 
Since famed among the famous of the lands ? 
And when did Israel, oppressed with pain, 
Repent his sins and pray for help in vain ? 
Remember Mizpah ; terrorized and pale, 



I saw you tremble, when tempestuous hail 

Confused the Philistine, who rose and fled, 

With you behind to multiply his dead ; 

My ardent prayer, your remorseful sighs 

Have drawn response, an echo from the skies — 

Let Sidon's carnal altars never rise 

On Israel's heights to claim vile sacrifice ; 

And if my sons unworthy are to lead 

Great men would rise to shield our State and creed. — 

Yet would a king ye have, a vision clear 

Reveals the change in Israel's career. (Prophetic.) 

Jeshurun's kings of future days I see, 

In purple robed, or clad in panoply, 

Majestic figures some and glorious bright, 

Unsightly others like the frown of night ; 

And round them eras corresponding flow, 

The glories fade, it is a sight of woe ; 

I see night gather, gather dense and black — 

The kings, the kings, they are the nation's Avreck ! 

(Exit SamueL) 

FoUETH Elder. What meaning has this ecstasy for our 
Petition ? 

First Elder. An instrument of God foretells 
Events to come. 

Second Elder. It forebodes kings for us 

And M'oe to wind up with a whelming fall. 

Third Elder. In ages far remote I understand, 
This after eras of prosperity. 
However, come what may in after-times, 
The days we live in should concern us most. 

First Elder. It is a king the people want and now 
We may report thereof the granting ; yes, 
A king we get to put us in fair shape. 

(Exeunt Elders.) 



Scene II. — Land of Zuph. A Valley. 

{Enter Saul, follorved by a Servant.) 

Saul. Plow far in quest of straying brutes shall we 
Proceed, Mount Ephraim being far behind 
And we a three days' journey from our home? 
Return we, lest father leave off caring for 
The asses and take thought for us ; besides, 
I feel forebodings of some change, I know 
Not what, and choose not premonitions to 
Disdain of visions woven and of thought 
Uncommon in a herdsman's head ; return 
We straight to see if all be well at home. 

Servant. I guess a witch had been at thee 

This night, with Lilith or some other hag. 
Who on the moonbeam ride to puzzle one 
In sleep, leaving ill-humor and a bent 
• To kick a fellow who is not at fault. 
Whatever be thy dreaming, sir, I hold 
The asses in my head who would not thence 
Be whipped ; what matters to a man a dream ? 

Saul. It matters how it stimulates the mind. 

Servant. I do not know an ugly thing I did 
Not dream of in my days, and here I am 
As lusty as a Philistine well-fed ; 
What are dreams made of, anyhow ? 

Saul. Of haze 

And thousand nothings every time, except 
When, burning into mind and heart, they go 
Not with the waking, chase them as one may. 

Servant. Why, let them sleep unchased, unless it be 

A thing of love, then give it chase and hug 

It tight. 
Saul. And if it be a thing of awe 

That haunts thee like a phantom in the light 

Of day, how brush it off? 



Servant. ^ Then grasp it bravely, 

And hold it fast, until it has enough 
Of thee or thou of it, as Jacob did 
When cornered by a sj)ectre ; those things of air 
Should not be dallied with. 

Saul. Those things of air 

Spring from portentous mystery, my boy. 
Controlling one, themselves impalpable. — 
A wizard in my slumbers came with such 
A show of unaccountable things as hold 
My memory enchanted like a spell. 

Servant. A wizard? 

Saul. Such as thou hast never seen, 

A prophet like the seer in Shiloh reared. 

Servant. I heard of him who reads the stars, looks through 
Man's thought, dreams while awake, speaks while asleep, 
Raves while he prophesies ; a man of hair 
Uncut, garments black, long and flowing, eyes , 

That sink into the soul, words that burn into 
One's memory, such is the wizard of whom 
The people speak with awe — Hold on, sir, if 
I err not he is hereabout, belike 
In yonder town, and might remove our fear 
About the safety of the brutes we seek. — 
There issue damsels to get water, let 
Me speak to them who peradventure know 

{Enter damseU, jars on head.) 

Of him. — We are here strangers, damsels, with 
A wish to see the seer if in our path 
Or elsewhere in this region he iDe found. 

First Damsel. I saw him slay the sacrifice and go. 

Second Damsel. He will next moment come across you, sirs, 
Who hitherward appeared to wend his stejis 
As I for water passed the city's gate. {Exeunt damsels.) 

Servant. And there, all thought, he comes ; accost him, sir — 



Saul (^enter Samuel, lost in a reverie). 

The very figure who my sleep disturbed. (To himself.}- 
It is the man of God we wish to see 
If it be proper for us to intrude. 

Samuel (aivaking from Ms reverie). 

On yonder height with me, the seer, thou, Saul, 
Art welcome for the night to eat and drink 
And learn to-morrow of strange things for thee 
In store, as I the hidden thought see of 
Thy heart and what in coming days reserved 
Is for the House of Israel, thy heritage. 

Saul (astonished). 

A spirit, lord, came in thy shape this night 
To me in dream, with crown and sceptre and 
A horn of oil, commanding me to take 
The royal symbols and be monarch, when 
My startled heart throbbed heavy and before 
I could an answer breathe, the vision fled, 
Leaving a void which all the day within 
' My breast I felt, still aching as though hurt 
By these thy pregnant words. — Who am I to 
Be thus exalted, as thy speech implies? 
The humblest of the humble families 
Of Benjamin is mine, among the tribes 
The smallest he, and I unfit for aught 
Which higher talent claims than watching herdSi 

Samuel (inspired). 

Hear me, thou son of Kish, I know thy dream. 

Know thee and thine ; it is no human scheme 

That makes thee Israel's avenging sword. 

His King in weal and woe : thus saith the Lord : 

Kejected is the eagle by his brood. 

My people Baal and Astoreth wooed. 

Rejecting me rebellious they demand 

A mortal king to rule my Holy Land ; 

Resist no further, be it not thy grief 

That in my stead they seek an erring chief. 

They whom I reared the freest of the free, 

An iron rod prefer to Liberty, 

13 



My Thi'oue desert, desert my sacred Shrine, 

Invest frail man with majesty divine ; 

Give warning first, then hearken to this voice. 

The meekest man enthrone — here is my choice. (Pause.) 

Thou art the man, do not with fright recoil, 

Thou art the King on whom this sacred oil 

I herewith pour that far thy power spread, 

A. kingdom rise that shall no foeman dread. — 

But on the tablets of thy memory write, 

God loves and shields the humble and contrite ; 

Man's majesty is but a ray of His 

Who hurls Presumption into the abyss. 

Obedience deems the ofiering of the heart. 

King, bide with me, to-morrow homeward start. 

(Exeunt.) 



Scene III. — A Mountain in Judaii. 

(Enter David, liaiji in hand, a garland around his head; 
he is attended by two shepherds.) 

David. This night ye heard the lion roar, while twice 
Within a moon the bear and savage boar 
I had to combat, so infested is 
This region with the beast of prey. I am 
At hand; if helji be needed, here ye find me. 

(E.veunt shepherds.) 
Those dull-eyed men, except the gift of speech 
Misused, are little more than creatures dumb. 
Insensible to things around, save what 
The lower instinct wakes (looking shjward). The silence of 
Unbounded space that thrills my soul when I 
At night the stars behold, it makes my day 
A dream of indefinable longing, yea, 
A thirst, a hunger fed by light and love. (Strikes the harp.) 

14 



There is life iu Azure and splendors untold, 

Hosauuas the angels are singino-, 
They, rolling the spheres made oAopaz and gold 

Forever through radiance are wiugino-; 
Light-oceans are flowing from cisterns blue, 

The Fountain is hidden much higher, 
.Thence all constellations their glories renew ; 

Merchabah is floating in fire, 
Whereout the Almighty is filling all space 

With wonders beyond contemplation, 
Nine myriads of seraphim cover His face 

To shield from destruction creation ; 
And we here below, frail creatures of Him 

Whose Love is unfathomed as heaven, 
Are singing His Greatness, whose pathvvays are dim, 

For naught else has music been given ; ' 
Let Ardor inspire the immortal soul 

To sing of the Spirit above, 
And ever contemplate life's heavenly goal 

In worship embodied and love. 
Among the great stars our earth looks not mean, 

Nor are we the lowest of creatures ; 
If Eden w^e lost there is many a scene 

Yet left us of beautiful features : 
As cherubim lovely our damsels are fair 

Unequaled in virtue and graces, 
The daughters of Judah have raven-black hair. 
Enchanting, immaculate faces. 

(Dauciiitj and ■•<i)njiiig.) 
In Sharon's vale blossoms the loveliest rose, 

On Hermon the dew is mcst blessed, 
But she is the sweetest, the maiden I chose. 

Adoring my love unconfessed. 

{Enter shepherd alarmed.) 
Shepherd. Sir, sir, a lion ! a lion ! two lions ! 
David (seizing his arms). Get clubs.— {Exeiud.) 



'5 



Scene IV. — Mizpah. A Street. 

{Enter a number of Judeans.) 

First Judean. I say, we are not treated well iu the 
Concern of giving us a king; the lot 
Hath fallen on the tribe of Benjamin, 
Then on the longest son of Kish, and we 
Judeans seem to count for nothing in 
The choice. 

Second Judean. The lot, the lot, there is the rub. 
You see ; if we had choice it would not come 
To this, but if we choose by lot it looks 
As tho' he be the marked man ; and if 
The prophet back him, and ye saw it clear. 
We must the Beujamite acknowledge lord. 

Third Judean. We must not if no good will come therefrom ; 
We want a warrior chief, not one who cares 
For asses more than arms ; who heard of Saul 
Beyond the pasture's mead and hennery ? 

First Judean. I say we are not handled well, say what 

Ye please ; it will be hard for Judah to 

Obey the least of Israel's tribes, but what 

Of that? scai'ce room for preference is left, 

He being chosen and approved it seems 

By many Ephraimites. 

( Cries are heard : " Long live the King .''') 
Second Judean. Ye hear the joy. 

And there the prophet and the King-elect. 

{Enter Samuel and Saul, foUotoed by Elders and a croiod.') 

Samuel {pointing to Saul). 

The Lord's anointed, Israel, your King, 

Behold, the like of whom there is not in 

Your broad domain, your prince in peace and war, 

Since you like other nations would be ruled ; 

Hereafter in all matter bow to him, 

Obey him prompt, the welfare of the land 

i6 



Concerning, he having power to enforce 

His will and levy tribute as he choose. 

Now, rally round Jeshurun's banner, sons 

Of Israel, and let Amalek feel 

The vengeance of the Lord, of yore by Him 

To extirpation doomed, a treacherous brood 

Delivered to the sword. — Philistia 

Henceforth no tribute hand, but arm at once 

Her inroads to repel ; she, hateful in 

Her means a nation to unman, shall first 

Be struck by you she undefended thinks. (To Saul.) 

Yea, arm the tribes with reverence first for God 

And holy things, and then with weapons to 

Amaze the foeman and reclaim what is 

Our heritage accorded from On High. 

Thine eyes in prayer skyward turn, O King, 

Whenever help is wanted ; Him adore 

And seek in daily intercourse, else all 

Will end in failure and confusion, woe 

And lamentation. — Pay homage to the Lord's 

Anointed, House of Israel, rejoice ! 

All. Long live the King ! long rule the House of Saul ! 



Scene V. — Gibeah. An Open Place. 
(Enter Jonathan and Abner.) 

Abner. No, prince, I am not inconsiderate 

And may a motley throng of yelling fools 
Despise unreprimanded ; harmless brutes 
There be who walk and swallow food like men, 
And these I leave alone to twaddle as 
They please ; but he make peace with God, who in 
My sense of honor injures me ; I'll cleave 
Him clean from pate to sole. 

Jonathan. And then regret 

The deed unworthy of a sensible man 
Like thee, Abner, too manly to be small. 

2 17 



Abner. I hate a sneak, a hypocrite, a liar. 

And if one thwart my path, by this my sword, 
Which from a heathen's palsied grasp I tore, 
Azazel shall not save him from my Avrath! 
What? pass by belching Impudence unstuug? 

Jonathan. Do what thou mayest, Abner, curs will bark 
And gnash their teeth ; I strike at them that bite ; 
In pity rather than in anger do 
I smite the rogue ; how often did I not 
Hear Mockery vilify the son of Kish ? 
My gall did overboil, I bit my lip, 
But threats I uttered none ; nor moved a hand 
Though every finger itched for the sword. 
Peculiar is the Hebrew in his ways ; 
A generous heart, an earnest soul is his. 
Compassion being of himself a part. 
And gratitude his quality withal, 
Else easy led astray by fashion and 
Surrounding vice, too quick to take offence 
And see the darker side of things ; yet once 
Convinced of error he will submissive yield, 
As earnest in his holy zeal as death. 

Abner. Thou hast depicted him I know too well 
And love not less because of his defects : 
Yet learn he shall to follow them who lead 
Unmurmuring, nor fault find with a King 
Who does in spirit tower high above 
The multitude as he in body dwarfs 
The tallest man on foot. The Ephraimites 
Among our adversaries are the worst. 
Who would not call the monarch (jreat but long. 

Jonathan. Let Envy on her venom feed ; it is 
A sneer and should no bitterness engender ; 
Theirs is a haughty tribe and ours the least. 

Abner. A sneer it was that Jonathan incensed, 
When single-handed he a camp did storm 
To show himself a man who dares a thing. 



Jonathan. To show myself a man who dares a thing — 
This was the cause and not the heathen's taunt 
That made me climb on hand and foot to spread 
Confusion on the height of Michmash, Avhere, 
Intrenched amidst a maze of rock and crag, 
The Philistine his dragon's nest supposed 
Impregnable. " Behold, you outpost of 
The foe an eyesore is to me and mine," 
I to my trusty armor-bearer said ; 
" Come, let us feel the heathen, whom perchance 
Almighty will deliver to our arms, 
He having might to save the many by 
The few." Agreed we cross the valley and 
Confront the garrison, they laughing at 
Our hardihood. " Come up that we see more 
Of you," they shout. And up we came to strike 
Them with astonishment ; full twenty fell 
Under my heavy blows, the others fled 
Pursued by father and thyself, who led 
The few to rout the multitude. — But why 
Rehash a story threadbare by this time ? 

Abnkr. No, never, modest tho' thou art, decline 
To tell a tale that Emulation stirs 
In young and old to do the like and be 
Renowned thro' a deed that never dies ; 
AVe need great memories to fire youth. 

Jonathan. I heard enough of this, brave Abner, not 
Ungrateful for a generous word, but oft 
Embarrassed by unmeasured praise bestowed 
On me for victory that came of God. 
Philistia will give us chance to feel 
Her pulse again, when others — this I trust — 
' And thou among them, will my transient fame 

Eclipse by such a brilliancy of deeds 
As will a brighter era in our annals 
Open, the House of Saul exalting high. 

Abner. Take Abner's hand, my prince, which shall be thine 
As long as it may grasp a weapon in 

19 



Support of iron manhood tempered by 
The gentlest vein that graces womanhood. 

Jonathan (talcing Abner's hand). 

My father is the King thy loyalty 

To own, which means not, Abner, on my part 

Indifference to thy friendship rated high 

And treasured as a cherished boon. — Look there, 

Who are those strangers coming hitherward ? 

(Enter strangers, folloived by a crowd.) 

First Stranger. Good sirs, where may we see the mighty man 
Whom Samuel anointed King ? If ye 
Be men of standing save us from a fate 
Much worse than death. 

Jonathan. A fate much worse than death, 

It must be being eaten while alive. 

Abner. Who is he that would hurt you, friends ? be brief — 

Second Stranger. We left our city Jabesh-gilead, 
In sore distress, with death without and pest 
Within, beleaguered by a wolfish foe. 
And if no help come in a week — such is 
Our state in brief — each Gileadite will have, 
Beside the yoke of slavery on his neck, 
His right eye from its socket plucked. 

Jonathan and Abner. Horrible ! 

First Stranger. Who knows not Ammon's ruthless] king^ 
Nahash, 
Who with his cohorts waits for our return 
To do the thing that will our tribes disgrace ? 

Jonathan. Be comforted, the King I will myself 
Advise of your distress, and arm he will, 
I doubt not, to oppose your cruel foe. (Exit JoiKithan.} 

Abner. How strong are they who Jabesh hold besieged ? 

Second Stranger. Twelve thousand Ammonites enclose our 
wives 
And babes defended by a famished band. 
Who watch keep night and day, lest thro' a breacli 



The insolent besiegers burst on them, 
As bloody tigers on a flock of sheep. 

Abner. There is no atom in my blood that is 

Not chilled with horror while I burn to fall 
Upon that pack of brutes and tear them all 
To shreds. I see the King there come apace ; 
Brave Jonathan inspired him to act. 

{Enter Saul, Jonathan, Doeg, and a crowd of jieople.) 

FiRvST Stranger. Oh, help us, lord, we are poor Gileadites. 

Saul. Save us the loss of time thy words consume, 
And hurry home to comfort the distrei^sed ; 
For as my name is Saul, before that orb 
Will gild the world a second time, it shall 
Be known three score of miles around, that he 
Who answers not our call to join our ranks 
Against a beastly enemy, will see 
His cattle cut till none is left to turn 
The fallow of his field. — A heifer, cut 
In quarters, send as warning, Jonathan, 
And have our forces mustered for the march. 

(Exit Jonathan. Enter a ilessenyer.) 
What is it Samuel would have us do ? 

Messenger. The prophet's vision augurs victory, 
King, and that thy host undaunted breast 
Accursed Ammon, himself will share the risks 
And hardships of the war. The Jordan's bank 
Will see him ere thy warriors cross its tide. 

Saul (to Abner). The rising moon shall find us on the road ; 
Summon at once all able-bodied men 
To swell our thin battalions hereabout. 
Our sous to follow up our force with such 
As hurry to obey our call ; for I 
Am hot with anger at the bestial chief 
Who shall the Hebrew's ire learn to rate. 



ACT II. 



Scene I.— Gibeah. Home of Saul. A Roo.m. 

Saul. Oh, for the vast horizon fringed with 
Eternal rocks ; or forest ringing with 
The song of happy bird ; or meadow bathed 
In dew as liquid jewel hanging on 
Each blade and flower, with brook and fountain and 
The winged world that in the grass makes music ! 
I blame thee not, thrice blessed Serenity, 
For fleeing haunts unsuitable for peace 
To frequent, choosing thy abodes beneath 
The laughing sky where smiling Nature makes 
The heart respond to her unruffled mien. 
Sweet Peace, wouldst thou not on the dizzy height 
Of royalty the herdsman favor who 
• Unwilling left the turf ? What change in me 
Did scai'e thee off" that Melancholy fills 
Thy ever-blessed domain ? Come, pour thy balm 
Into my fevered brain disturbed by fear 
Of dark futurity yet un revealed. 
When did the eminence I court that shows 
A fearful deep below ? — If into it 
I fall — forbid it. Lord ! — There comes my wife. 

{Enter A hvioam.') 

It is an early hour for queens to rise, 
Ahinoam. 

Ahinoam. And for kings to have no rest 

Whatever seems more serious than an hour's 
Repose forfeited by a worried woman ; 
Thou art unhappy, Saul, unhappy as 
Thy wife thro' thy unhappiness, unless 



Thou wilt thy soul unburdeu, so that I, 
If helpless to assuage thy troubled breast. 
At least have certainty thereof, which is 
Not half as bad as fearful doubt unuttered. 

Saul. Enough if thou dost guess the cause, the rest 
Be undivided buried in my heart. 

Ahinoam. Thy children's mother honor, Saul, and let 
Me of thy grief have part as of the fame 
Thy triumphs have of late brought on our house. 

Saul (.shaking his head). 

The fame, the fiime — I would to God we were 
Unfamed, O wife, and with our sons unknown ! 

Ahinoam. Then do the crown resign and watch our herds. 

Saul. The crown, the crown — uncourted did it come 
To me, unwished ; but once anointed I 
Should rather lose my head than leave my post 
Unhonored. AVoman, I shall die a King, 
And never was a prince more worthy of 
Succession than our valiant Jonathan, 
He having lustre shed upon our house — 
But will he be my heir ? 

Ahinoam. My Jonathan ! 

Beloved of all, the nation's favorite. 
Why weave far possibilities of doubt 
When, in the prime of manhood now, thou mayst 
A score of years and more be mighty King, 
And farther shape this kingdom's destiny 
To suit thy purpose and the people's weal ? 
An army rose against thy harsh decree 
That doomed him, who has unconsciously 
Thy bidding slighted, binding all to touch 
Before the foe's defeat, nor food, nor drink, 
And now his name throughout the land resounds 
With valor coupled and the ring of praise, 
And virtue rare among the qualities 
Of giddy youth. The oldest being he 

23 



And worthiest of our house, why should the tribes 
A ruler elsewhere seek and him reject ? 

Saul. The wizard's voice, who made the herdsman King, 
Is not for us, Ahinoam, hereafter. 

Ahinoam. Thou art 

The Lord's anointed by his lip, and they, 
Who first thy title questioned to the throne, 
Seeing the heathen smitten by thine hand, 
Rejoice at thy election more and more ; 
Why dread a man so near his death-bed, Saul ? 

Saul. The man thou speakest of so lightly, wife. 
To prove himself resistless, made the skies 
Respond to his appeal, when at his call 
The sun withdrew his beam, the thunder rolled. 
The torrents pouring in a deluge to 
Confirm his power. Him in Giigal I 
Displeased unwilling. Impatient of delay 
I saw my army dwindle, gathered there 
To see him offer sacrifice and pray 
For npw success against the enemy. 
Another hour and things had passed off" well. 
He came too late, too late for me to show 
Him reverence ; there our doom I heard — our doom — 
Our Jonathan with me. 

Ahinoam. What happened since 

Was victory and conquest, Ammon, Edom, 
Philistia and Zobah being humbled 
By thee, the crowned head of Israel. 

Saul. Our Jonathan appears, it must be news. 
Too early to be good. — Thy tidings, boy ? 

(^Enter Jonathan?) 

Jonathan. The message comes from Ramah. 

Saul. From Samuel ? 

Jonathan. His messenger would have a word with thee 
Alone ; he breathes war, meseems. 

24 



Saul. No peace 

From yonder quarter I expect. — Admit 
The man, and be with Abner near at hand. 

(Exeunt Jonathan and Ahinoam. Enter Messenger.) 
Possess me briefly of thy master's will. 

Messenger. Exhausted from the run I stand before 
Thee, King, the prophet's charge upon my lip. 
In dead of night, the first watch having passed, 
I heard him cry in ecstasy : " Arise, 
Arise, and post to Gibeah, that he 
Whom God has chosen smite Amalek with 
The sword, smite age and youth, no vestige leave 
Of them, abhorred of earth and heaven. Spare he 
The Kenites ever to the Hebrew friendly, 
Else havoc be the rule, unspai'ing aught, 
They having spared nor dame, nor child, as fierce 
Hyenas slaughtering the undefended." 
This uttered, he to rest retired, while I 
The saddle sought and mule, and here I am. 

Saul. Go, have thy sleep and meet me at the board 
This forenoon ere thou goest hence.— Doeg ! 

(Exit Messenger.) 
Doeg ! — It will be lively work. — Doeg! 
The old man might relent if I the foe 
Defeat, exterminate as he commands. 
Agag is mighty in the field, — Doeg ! (Enter Doeg.) 
Let Jonathan and Abner meet me at 
The council chamber ; it is war, Doeg! 
War, with no room for pity left. (Exit Saul.) 

Doeg. No room 

For pity left, poor King I how hapi)y to 
Subserve the fancies of a madman like 
The scold of Ramah. What matters it to me 
Who am devoid of holy sap, and would 
Be hedgehog rather than a monarch thus 
Encumbered with a raving maniac, whose 
Very sight gives me the Jaundice and a score 
Of other ills. A full-fledged Edoraite, 

25 



By heritage a liimter, titles seem 
Less valuable to me than Mammon's gift, 
A woman's welcome, and a hearty meal ; 
They of Hebraic bent a glittering show 
Of tinsel deem a prize worth dying for. — 
I serve my purpose here, and am no tool ; 
If Esau Jacob blinds, who is the fool ? 



Scene II. — Ramah. House of Samuel. 

Samuel (surrounded by his pupi/s).'' 

Thou Ever- One, in space and time Infinite, 
Revealing unrevealed, transcending mind's 
Ethereal faculty that longing would 
The endless and eternal fathom. One 
The All containing, therein uncontained. 
May heavenly Inspiration touch with flame 
Supernal my enraptured soul, so that 
The spirit sky-enkindled thrill with glow 
Prophetic, as Thy instrument of yore 
When Horeb rung the messages of heaven ; 
For nor Ionia's Muse, nor Helicon's 
Hears invocation of Jehovah's bard. 
Who at the Holiest of Holies hath 
His mind in empyrean fire bathed. 
Then rises high above Parnassus as 
Aldebaran above the moon. Spirit 
Of Thy uncounted hosts a seraph send 
To cleanse this lip and sight give to the soul. 
So that I may commune with Thee, like him 
Who first beheld the thornbush glow, and on 
The top of Sinai heard the Holiest Voice ; 
For they around me, who Thy glories shall 
Recount to ages yet unborn, and earth 
Make sacred like a star in azure's deep, 
Are thirsting for Thy Truth, which I with awe 

26 



Contemplate, so deep that Meditation shrinks 
And speech recoils aghast from utterance 
Unuttered hitherto in any tongue. 

Chorus. Reveal us, reveal us, O master, reveal 
The grandest of works God created ; 
We listen enravished with ecstatic zeal, 
Our hunger, our thirst unabated^ 

Samuel. Thy wing, Imagination, swifter than 

• The deathful spark that life destroys unhurt, 
Unfold that thereon sweeping over deeps 
Unfathomed, space unmeasured, I reveal 
To them I teach the secrets hidden from 
The mortal eye, unless by Thee enlightened. 
Into the Sanctuary of the increate 
Inane I thirst to penetrate, that I 
May tell how formless Chaos ruled the Void, 
Thy Thought evolving myriad solar spheres 
That rose to vanish in unyielding Night. ( To the Chorus.) 
Nine billion cycles twelve times multiplied 
By twelve, then trebled by the years we count 
Since first the sun his radiance hither sent. 
Omnipotence with Self-sufficiency 
Communed, revolving whether it be wise 
To bid eternal Silence ope the Vast 
Wherein in undisturbed dark lay hid 
Potential seed of constellations bright 
And elemental potencies, which since 
Made stir the upper and the nether spheres 
With multitudinous life, so manifest 
Below where marvelous creatures teem mid wealth 
Of flower and herb, which healing virtues hide. 
Wisdom, Almighty's first-begotten, sprung then 
Of the Infinite Brain, to whom the All- 
Beholding Holy-One and Hidden thus : 

" Thee, first-born of the Highest Essence, I 
Appoint creative Power, armed with Will 
Omnipotent, to whom the boundless Vast 
And what therein is latent of all things 

27 



To be in spirit or in grosser shape 

Obedience owe and render undelayed ; 

Inscrutable designs are Mine conceived 

For all futurity the compass of 

Inferior being to surpass as does 

Infinity each part thereof exceed, 

And I Infinity in space, in time 

Eternity, embracing uuembraced. 

Thus brooding since by Mine behest gray Time 

Her wings outspread, I hold in Me mature 

For birth Immensity to vest Myself 

With glories praised by hosts of higher and 

Of lower station, planned to worship Me, 

Concealed in Mystery, My garments dim 

Reflex proclaiming that I Am the One 

Most Perfect and forever unfathomable. 

My shadow, Light, now from the face of Night 

And Chaos hidden, shall in great cataracts 

A bursting fire-deluge spread throughout 

Unbroken dark, assuming spheric shape, 

And march in clustered lights innumerable, 

Each other prompting by immutable Law ; 

Not purposeless, but for mysterious ends. 

Attained not ere I see Myself fulfilled 

In them who shall, unseen or visible. 

The higher heavens and the nether spheres 

Control, endowed with freest choice to rise 

As high as pure ethereal virtues may. 

Or sink to pass probations long and hard, 

Remote from Bliss, who in My Presence dwells ! " 

Chorus. We are overpowered, O Wisdom Supreme, 
Creator of spirit and matter ; 
Thy grandeur be ever our loftiest theme, 
Than kingdoms Thy AVisdom is better. 

Samuel. Thus brief the Fountain-head of all that was 
To be outlined Creation when, as from 
A thundercloud at night the lightning's flash 
The thought outwings that would its course discern, 

28 



Our Universe once moi-e burst into blaze, 

Liglit-oeeans darting thro' empyreal vasts, 

Once more to vanish in the rayless deep. 

No void henceforth, but full from heaven's top 

Down to the nethermost abyss of God's 

Similitude, Creation's holiest work, 

A man in form of living radiance made 

And burning flame, a sable vesture, as 

A cloud the sun's eflTulgence, covered half, 

And this not longer than it took the Voice 

Of Mystery to say : " Let there be light." 

Forthwith black Night her raven pennons spread 

To fly precipitous from Ether set 

Ablaze by dazzling efliuence that in 

That mystic likeness focused, thence darted forth 

A tenfold stream of generative warmth, 

The potent flood Commotion waking in 

Responsive energies, stirring unformed 

Cosmos, until each atom yielded to 

Resistless Rule, now manifest with might 

And glory vested, glowing like a host 

Of suns unsheathed, ten in one, yet one 

Complete in head and limb, less doubtful than 

The signs of Zodiac in significance. 

Chorus (inspired). 

The birth of the soul, the spirit was this 

Whom later a body was given ; 
She sprung from the holiest regions of bliss 

And longs to return to heaven ; 
Or was it a power of some higher mold ? 

O master, enlighten us further ; 
That Godlike our soul be the Scriptures unfold. 

The earth of the body is mother. 

Samuel. Of the Unbounded One the Image this 
Creative by His Will omnipotent 
And perfect or imperfect rendered as 
He chooses to endow it full or otherwise ; 
And quicker than Medusa's fabled head 

29 



Sky-bearing Atlas turned into rock, 

The tenfold wonder spread infinitely 

Until Immensity was full thereof 

When, multiplying, it breathed forth a maze 

Of stars and brilliant galaxies, each one 

The semblance bearing of the Archetype 

AVho bade them shine. Himself all undiminished, 

So vast a Universe of liquid spheres 

That numbers could not name their multitudes, 

Nor parasangs their interspaces measure, 

Unbroken yet by grosser orbs to be. 

As head and heart the human form inspire 

And blessed life shows happiness in joy. 

The mystic firmament, instinct with soul, 

The spheric march to heaven's new harp began 

With such responses from all deeps and heights 

As made the heavens resonant with song 

And Harmony the starry spaces thrill, 

Tho' over the lower hosts the higher are 

So far that light requires myriad years 

To twinkle at a sister star below. 

In cadence wheeling to the self-same law. 

Thus heaven's primordial frame with emblems teemed 

In constellations cut, God's Alphabet 

Upon the face of azure written, often 

Misread by him who misconstrues the speech 

Of symbols misconceived, else fabulous brutes 

Name in the skies had none, as Dragon, Hydra, 

Aquarius, Chameleon and Centaur ; or beast 

In forest, field or water seen ; or things 

Of human make ; or names of myth, Orion 

And Cepheus, Andromeda and Hercules, 

As tho' to prove the childish sense of man. 

Mammon this era governs unopposed, 

That worships matter more than aught conceived 

Of spiritual sway and, prone to scoff. 

Of vision short, as owl that shuns the day 

For overflow of light, perchance with scorn, 

At best unedified and slow will take 

30 



Ealightenment of ethereal beings first 

Created, first to be and holiest in 

The scale of being, above all others sprung 

Of highest Effluence, thence Seraphim 

Their name, invisible ministers of Him 

Whose Breath Infinity inflamed and then 

Seraphic choirs, ten divisions, each 

Too numerous for the mind to compass, all 

A host outnumbering a thousandfold 

The stars, thenceforward in their keeping, who 

Before Matatron bow ; he, angels' chief 

And master, full empowered from On Pligh 

To build the nether hosts, forthwith thro' space 

The potency in him personified 

Diffused ; his fiat rung in words to which 

Responding Ether bodied forth a host 

Of Cherubim, ordained inferior for 

Inferior station ; harp in hand they sprung 

As numberless as those of highest rank, 

But able to assume corporeal shape, 

The Cherub's recompense for being less 

Than Seraph dowered, and in scale less high, 

Tho' blissful like the other each, and than 

Hyperion more beautiful and mighty, 

In song surpassing him whose offspring moved 

The nether world, and softened brute and stone. 

Archangels marshal the celestial hosts, 

Nine myriad squadrons form the vanguard's corps, 

The rearfront's file twelve times that number make 

That shoot from star to star like beams of light 

And make the nether spheres resound in unison : 

Chorus "Creator, Thee, we praise, "ourselves Thy work 
And all the circling orbs and Seraphim 
Conceived in light for ends inscrutable ; 
We thus called forth Thy glories to extol, 
Who art exalted higher than all height, 
Thy AVisdom glorify as deep as all 
The deeps that give no measure of Thyself, 
Encompassing the void Inane, therein 

31 



The Universe and what is yet unshnped. 
In things revealed Tliy wonders overawe 
Seraphic comprehension ; how shall we 
The unrevealed Grandeur of Thyself 
Behold, unless sustained by Thee, who wilt 
Not suffer us to vanish, who thus dwell 
Enskied beneath Merchabah's holy Throne, 
That fills the endless empyrean with such 
Consuming blaze as would, uncovered, burn 
The creatures of Thy Love ; so fearful of 
Annihilation we, enshrined in Joy 
Immortal, hymning praise, our blissful share. 
With Thee Benignity and Grace upon 
Merchabah bide, thereon Intelligence 
And Justice hold their sway ; sweet Beauty beams. 
And Splendor shines therefrom, with Firmness and 
Foundation linked and Love ; and these beneath 
Thy Kingdom's Crown endure forevermore." 

Samuel. Sublunar music so unlike is notes 

Of heavenly Concord born, that soothing tho' 
And rapturous it be to heart and mind, 
It but cherubic strains re-echoes faint, 
Comparable to twilight breaking thro' 
A depth of cloud and making sunshine gloom 
Below, tho' welcomer than utter night. 
That song's supernal might to comprehend. 
It is enough to know that, flowing in 
Melodious waves, it charmed worlds, and in 
Chaotic deeps, beyond Creation's Vast, 
Another Vast of darkness conjured full 
Of legions numberless as they above, 
But hideous as to form, Plutonian black. 
With eyes that glow as Inirning coal, or as 
The hungry wolf's Avheu roving for his prey, 
Yet orderly in line and phalanx ranked, 
With Samael as potentate and chief; 
Endowed, besides, with mighty wnng the black 
Abyss to sweep, their empire, therein 
Confined to rule as destined from On High. 

32 



Inferior else and changeable as things 

Corruption withers, they the Archityper's 

Remotest issue rej^resent, content 

Withal in darkness to be dark and shun 

Domains superior beings hold, except 

It be to counteract whatever good 

From yonder Power sprung, who made them less 

To be the more when risen high by worth ; 

For Grace no guiltless creature suffers to 

Be doomed, nor unforgiven leaveth guilt. 

However grave. 

Betwixt those higher and 
These lower hosts stands man, created last 
And free, but tempted much by evil things 
Held out to lure him into Error ; they 
In darkness biding, labor to undo 
Him, sprung of God in spirit and of clay 
In mortal frame, long weltering in vice 
And carnal beastliness, till Israel 
Salvation heralded and wrought ere this, 
Tho' unsuccessful hitherto, himself 
A prey to sensual greed, degrading with 
Each fallen age, unless reclaimed by dire 
Adversity, or prophets fire-tongued. — 

Chorum. Almighty's decree we know it to be 

That Eden to man he returned ; 
Tho' cycles fly fast and dark be the past. 

We know why the thornbush burned ; 
God works not like men of limited ken, 

His purpose the after-times read it ; 
By thy spirit fired we are all inspired, 

Thy wisdom, dear master, we need it. 



33 



Scene III. — Gilgal. An Open Place. 

(^E)iter Ahner, Jonathan and Doeg, each leading a troop, followed 
hii Saul, before whom Agag is led in chains, a erowd follows.) 

Saul. Your greatest day is this and mine, ye sons 
Of Israel, since He above made me 
His vengeful arm implacably to smite 
Implacable enemies, who ever since 
Our sires Egypt left hang at their heels, 
Like beasts of blood destroying in the rear 
The aged and the helpless wanderers, 
And laying ambush to ensnare the child. 
Our friends Aiualek hated, with our foes 
Conspired to exterminate our tribes ; 
Wherefore Annihilation overtook 
Them whom to punish we cur weapons drew. — 
Behold him here who fed on massacre. 
And reveled in their agonies, who in 
His dens did under torture perish, he 
As tiger thirsting for the Hebrew's blood. 

Agag. Thy God enjoins pity, King, which thou 
Deniest me, thus fallen deep beyond 
Recovery, disgraced, enslaved and doomed ; 
Wouldst thou not have me serve thee rather than 
To death deliver ? Alas, I fear the grave I 

Saul. Our God commands to sweep Amalek's brood 

And wipe it out from under heaven, slave ! ( To Doeg.) 
Let him my verdict out of sight await, 
While for our triumph we the Lord extol, 
As when near Kishou's rushing tide of yore, 
Almighty having smitten Sissera's host. 
Inspired Deborah gave praise in song. 

(Doeg reDioi'es Agag.) 

All. We thank thee, Lord, our heart is light, 
The mighty melt before thy Breath, 
Amalek vanished at thy wrath 
As phantoms vanish with the night. 

34 



" We pray, O Father, guard our land, 
May like Amalek all our foes 
Thy vengeance blast ; relieve our woes, 
Come Peace and Plenty from thy hand. 

Abxer. I voice the people's prayer, King, who of 
Amalek's flocks the best for sacrifice 
Have hither brought unslain ; let these be spared 
For timely offerings, the Avarriors pray ; 
What good will slaughter do of harmless brute. 
Now that their owners swept are from the earth ? 

Saul. Let their request be gratified, lest my 
Refusal mar the joyance of the hour. 

Voices. The prophet, the prophet ! 

(Enter Samuel, who fixes a dern look at Saul.^ 

Saul (advancing revennithi'). AVe bless thy coming, 
Thou blessed of the Lord ; thy bidding is 
Fulfilled, for utterly destroyed are they 
Abhorred of God. 

Samuel (stern). What means the bleating then 
Of sheep I hear, the lowing of the herds 
That stir the air ? — They are the sounds of life ? — 

Saul. For sacred rites the people spared the best 
That sacrifice of them be oflTered to 
Thy God. 

Samuel. King, dead thy reverence for that God 

Thou shouldst obey, unpardonable thy sin, 
Defiance showing and a stubborn mind. 

Saul. Unwise it seemed to curb the people's zeal 
To serve a holy purpose when thy life 
The lesson taught to serve the Only One. 

Samuel. Unrighteous Disobedience grieves the Lord, 
Who in a lowly spirit takes delight, 
Rejects the offerings of rebellious hearts, 
The humble loves, who hearken to his Voice ; 
The sin of witchcraft from rebellion springs, 
From stubbornness iniquity and vice. — 

35 



Behold, thou didst the Lord's behest reject, 
He doth reject thee as his people's King. 

Saul (pale). Reject me, sir? if I have erred there will 
Be mercy in the skies an error to 
Forgive; I meant not Heaven to offend 

(Saviuel turns to //o.) 
Nor thee. — Thou wilt not thus withdraw and leave 
Me lowered in the nation's eye. 

{Seizes Samuel's robe and tears it.) 

Samuel. And this 

The sign ; the grace of royalty from thee 
Almighty tore that it be given to 
A better man. 

Saul. Yet leave me not disgraced 

But come that I before God's altar pray. — 
This honor grant me ere thou goest hence. 

Samuel. Bring forth Agag whom God his breath denies. 
Why lives he, King, who should be food for birds ? 

(A gag broug Id fort h . ) 
Saul. I held him that his death our triumph crown. 

Agag. What fearful God is yours, who on my head 
His volleyed thunderbolts unloads ! O Death, 
Why spared thy myriad-winged agency 
My life where honor garlands winds for those 
Who warring fall to let me forfeit it 
In shame ? Oh, bitter, bitter is thy sting. 

Samuel. Too long thy blood-polluted soul debased 
Creation's noblest mold ; as heretofore 
Thy feline rage bereavement made the cause 
Of thousand weeping dames, so be thy end 
Thereafter source of woe to her who bore 
Thee to her shame. The dogs devour thy flesh. 

(The curtain fall-^.) 



36 



ACT III. 



Scene I. — Gibeah. Home of Saul. 

{Ahinoam and Michal.) 

Ahinoam. Thou, too, art not the same, my child, as tho' 
Contagion of thy father's gathering gloom 
Gave thee a cloud ; if his unease be cause 
Of thy dejection, daughter, twilight will 
The hues of sable night to him assume 
If he suspect the workings of his mood 
On thee, the favored of his preference. 

Michal. Why give me this attention, mother, when 
He undivided needs thy sympathy 
And watchful care ? Nor grief nor grievance have 
I to account for cheerless thoughts that come 
And go. 

Ahinoam. And go ' and (jmw comes nearer truth. 
Dark Melancholy on thy forehead seats, 
The flower of beauty fading on thy cheek 
For want of rest and proper nourishment, 
Thyself consuming by a heartache none 
May cure because denied the confidence ; 
How, then, the healing remedy supply ? 

Michal. When did thy Michal secrecy toward thee 
A virtue make before Necessity 
Enforced the reticence she cannot break ? 
I am nor sick in body nor in mind 
Unsound, but somewhat moody, that is all ; 
And since my humor tortures thee I shall 
Hereafter smile, whatever pressure I 
Endure within. — Yes, father needs our cheer ; 
We must forget ourselves and live for him. 

37 



Ahinoam. Strange world ! what may a daughter worry that 
Her mother must not know ! Of me a part 
Thy inward should to me unbosom as 
A flower does to the morning sun. Fie, fie, 
Necessity ! what know ye, girls of life's 
Anxieties a mother's love sustains ! 
If thou hast sounded love's unfathomed deep, 
Thou wouldst not with my sorrows trifle thus. 

MiCHAL (^Lib.fent-minded). 

If I had sounded love's unfathomed deep ! — 

Ahinoam {attentive'). Have incidentally I hit the clue? 

MiCHAL {blvshing). Must I betray my secret that thou laugh 
At me ? 

Ahinoam. Oh, that is all — ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! 

MiCHAL. There, laugh again ; is it ridiculous 

To be in love ? Why, all the girls are in it. 

Ahinoam. Yes, and the boys. — Is it a boy thou lovest ? 

MiCHAL (surprised). Why, no, a girl. — {Botli /aiigh.y 

Ahinoam (heaving a sigh of relief). 

Thou didst relieve my heart 
Of anguish, child ; — no, speak to me of him 
Whose magic did my daughter thus bewitch ; 
Give me thy secret's other half, now that 
The half thereof I know. — A Benjamite ? — 

MiCHAL. The comeliest of Judah's youth is he 

Who dreams not of my madness for his heart's 
Response, a raving hunger thus unfed 
By hope is mine ; I love unloved ; if this 
Sufficient be for thee to know, thou hast 
It all. 

Ahinoam. A youth of Judah, — how did he come 
To thwart thy footway, girl ? 

MiCHAL. We thwarted his 

When I with Jonathan his tribe's domain 
Did traverse and near Bethlehem did halt 
To feed our caravan. The sun's decline 



Soft radiance seut in mellow streams and with 
His crimsoned glories flooded earth and sky ; 
Soft bounded from its spring the crystal brook ; 
Soft in the leafage chirp'd and warbled many 
A bird, while overhead in mid-air poured 
His cadence forth the winged musician who 
In azure sings ; but softer, sweeter than 
All melody flowed from a distance song 
So mighty and so Aveird that thitherward 
Resistless drawn with Jonathan I moved. 
There, at a limpid fount a youth, a harp 
In hand, a wreath as headgear wearing, armed 
With bow and quiver, like an angel sate 
Amid a numerous flock of scattered sheep, 
His eyes in ether lost, his fingers on 
The chords disporting, adding sweetness to 
A voice, itself a thrilling symphon}^ 
" Disturb we not the youth who praises God," 
Said Jonathan, withdrawing with my hand 
In his, the singer's image graven in 
My soul for aye. 
Ahinoam. a youth so gifted would 

(^ur King delight ; Ave should know more of him. 

MiCHAL. If Jonathan had seen him with mine eyes . 
He would no eflbrt spare to draw him hither. 

AiiiNOAM. That Jonathan thereafter took no thought 
Of him I wonder much ; — poor boy, too close 
The battles and the hazards followed, grave 
Enough to load a leader's memory. — 
Thy secret guarding I will prompt him to 
Inform himself about the youth we ought 
To know\ — I see in self-discourse the king. (Exeunt) 

Saul (who enters from the opposite door). 

If man be nothing but a plaything in 
The hands of a mysterious Destiny 
Then better for him never to be born 
Than drink the bitter goblet mixed for him 
By creatures meaner than himself. — Sweet Hope 
Wilt thou desert me with thy magic sights, 

39 



Thy golden vistas precious to the heart ? 

How meet Vexation with her thousand shafts ? 

Be hurt, tormented, and continue sane ? 

The last was I to covet royalty, 

As now the last to give it up unfbught ; 

Once crowned I am King till death relieves 

Me of ray glittering agony. — Oh, that 

The silent heavens are so high and God 

Above, indifferent to a myriad woes 

And throes, methinks, man's tragedy below 

Unrolls ! The brute for slaughter marked, who tells 

Me that, like man, it knoweth not its doom ? 

What makes me think I am a victim born ? 

A scapegoat marked to answer some design ? 

Suspicion, press not on my brain this thought 

That warps the brighter quality of the mind. 

(Enter Jonathan.) 

What is it, son, that makes thy look so grave ? 

Jonathan. Philistia is out in insolence 

Upon Azekah's hills, and Abner asks 
Assistance ere it be too late. Shall we 
Judean territory enter and re — 
Enforcement hurry to the seat of war ? 
We cannot waste an hour, much less a day 
Without advantaging our adversaries. 

Saul. Send forth thy troops and I the rear shall with 
My bodyguard take up, if Abner danger sees. 

Jonathan. Full twenty thousand strong, and fortified, 
They on our fear their hopeful prospects ground 
To meet in single combat huge Goliath 
Of prodigious strength, their champion, 
A tower clad in armor, balancing 
A spear as rafter long and heavy, loud. 
Foul-mouthed in challenge to encounter him 
And conquer or be conquered, enslave 
Or be enthralled. This troubles Abner much. 
Our camp embracing none the giant to 
Confront with fair success. 

4^ 



-Saul. The worse for us 

If he can unopposed defy our men. 
He must be met and beaten, and the one — 
Let this be far procLaimed — who smites him dead, 
The fairest of our home, our Michal, shall, 
Endowed with royal state, receive as wife. (Exeunt.) 



Scene II. — Bethlehem.* House of Jesse. 

Jesse (who enters ivith Samuel's Messenyer). 

As he commands we shall his coming here 
Keep secret, honored as I am and proud 
To bless the prophet and be blessed by him. 

Messenger. Have all thy sons assembled for his view. 
He having purpose to behold them all ; 
He was emphatic when he chai'ged me thus. 

Jesse. The man of God shall have in all his will ; — 
Shall I proceed to meet him on the highway ? 

Messenger. I hurried to announce his coming, who 
Enjoined me to bear his message while 
He stopp'd to pray. Thou mayst expect to face 
Him in a moment. Lo ! here 

(Enter Samuel. E.rit Messenger.) 

Jesse (bowuu/ reeerently). This house be thine 
Great man of God, and all therein are at 
Thy service, happy to be blessed by thee. 

Samuel. Eight sons are thine of whom I seven saw 
Without, the one I seek I found not there. 
Let him appear that I God's bidding do. 

Jesse. The youngest of my house is with our flocks 
And has been sent for to be here at once. 

Samuel. The favored he of the Most High, who will 
His glory shed on him and his to come. — 
41 



{Enter David.) 

Come, son, the Grace of God descends on thee; 
Be strong in trial, humble in success; 
Thou art the King to reign by Heaven's decree, 
Thy arm be steel, thy nature gentleness. 

{Pours oil on David's head.} 
Rule Israel, forever live thy name, 
Thy house endure in memory for aye, 
Thy song's delight immortalize thy fame, 
Thy sovereign might be spiritual sway. 
Write this in flaming lettere on thy heart : 
God graces them who humbly pray for grace. 
The sceptre shall not from thy house depart, 
Thine be the kinirdom of the chosen race. 



Scene III. — Saul's Encampment. A Tent. 

(Enter Saul and Jonathan.) 

Saul. Who should have thought that with such promises 
Held out among twelve thousand warriors there 
AVould be no man to strike for love or fame 
That blasphemous Philistine ; in all a host 
No man to risk his life for such a prize ! 

Jonathan. Yet generous be thy judgment over men 
Than whom there breathe not braver fighters in 
The kingdoms we are combating ; but when 
A monstrous villain of enormous limb 
And muscle, fit for Samson's iron grip. 
Does challenge usual warriors to sure 
Defeat, it were unwise, yea, mad, to rush 
Into his arms and be undone ; I doubt 
Not that our hero will appear to do 
The wonder of the day. 

Saul. Ah I if he come. 

And be victorious, Jonathan, dost thou 
Believe a Hebrew could that heathen smite ? 
42 



The Samsons lived in bygone times, I fear ; 

We must on lesser prodigies rely. 
Jonathan. The Godsend and inspired, be he big 

Or small, will light on him as thunder from 

The cloud and cleave his massive bulk in twain. 
S.\UL. That were the man to wed rny daughter, boy ; 

But Samuel's spirit is against us, come 

What may, — against our cause. 
Jonathan. What is our cause 

That is not his, who for the common weal 

Anointed thee, rejecting his own, because 

Unworthy to succeed their sire ? 

Saul. He spoke 

The fatal word that disinherits thee 
And me makes puppet of a flimsy show. 

Jonathan. Be this thy lesser grief that I my name 
Shall not have graven in the book of kings ; 
Grant God that glorious deeds thy rule adorn ! 

Saul (yloomy). Grant God that evil spirits enter not 
My head, for horrid are the nightmares which 
My pillow turn into a haunt of ghouls, 
The hideous dreams unhinging what is sound 
And sane in mind and heart. — His angry eyes. 
Yea, Samuel's eyes, they pierce me day and night 
Since last at Gilgal I their fire stood. 
Not as a monarch crown'd with victory, 
But stung and humbled, lowered, lowered, deep, 
And buried, disen throned, unkinged, disgraced, 
Because his best was in the letter slighted ! 
O Disappointment, bitter are thy dregs, 
Unbearable when mixed with grim Despair ! 
For man in memory lives and works in hope 
To see the harvest of his seed in days 
To come ; but from my hand a ruthless fate 
The wreath and palm of fame has torn ; down went 
Amalek, down with him his victor goes ! 

Jonathan (^looking toivurd the entrance). 

News on the wing, with Abner flying and 
Another one I know not by his side. 
43 



(Enter' Abner and David.) 

Saul. Give up thy tidings, marshal, good or bad. 

Abner. In earnest neither of this, my lord, for now 
As hitherto these forty days foul-mouthed 
Goliath unpunished heaps abuse on thy 
Enduring army, none, except this youth, 
Proposing to avenge the infamy 
We unrevengeful take. 

Saul. . What? this youth make 

Our shield, an army standing idle and 
Unwounded in their pride? I should not have 
Philistia laugh at us. — (To David.) Whoever thou, 
Courageous youth, it is a giant who 
Will hurl thee whirling thro' the atmosphere. 

David, My boldness pardon, sovereign liege, but were 
He thrice his volume, armed in steel, with sword 
And spear as sharp and venomous as tooth 
Of serpent, it would concern me little and 
Avail him less, who shall be struck before 
He knoweth how ; I scorn the Philistine. — 

Saul. And who art thou, brave youth, and where thy home? 

David. At Bethlehem in Judah Jesse dwells, 
My aged ir*ire, whom eight sons relieve 
Of toil ; of them the youngest I, my liege. 
Long years in Judah's mountainous regions I 
Was guardian of our flocks, and were I vain, 
I could a lion's head as trophy wear 
And add the bear's, whom single-handed I 
Destroyed, tho' less for warfare fashioned than 
Poetic song with soft accompaniment 
Of harp or lute. But when that cursing cur 
I heard the sacred congregation taunt, 
I felt that naught betwixt his downfall stands 
And me but thy permission to insure 
His overthrow. 

Jonathan (aside). He is the one we heard 
Once sing and play in Judah's vale. 

44 



Abner. Give him 

Thy sanction king, to test his valor's edge. 

Saul. Go forth, my son, in this my armor clad, 
And this my sword around thee girt, lest he 
Find thee too vulnerable in shepherd's garb. 

(Offers him an armor. y 

David. Unused, my liege, to wear a coat of mail, 
In lieu of arming me, it will impede 
My swiftness, which I count on in the fray ; 
The sling that in my hand did seldom miss 
Its aim will not untrustful prove this time. 
Be he as lion strong Goliath shall 
Go down this day, 

Saul. Come, let us watch the youth 

And have our forces ready for a move. 

Jonathan. Thou hast no weapon to ward off a blow, 
O child of Judah, Goliath is all armor. — 

David. Yes, prince, and Israel's God omnipotent. (Exeunt.) 



Scene IV. — A Valley Between the Two CAMi'.*-. 

Goliath {enters in panoply). . 

I am Goliath, and this spear, 
The heaviest beam a warrior saw, 
Herewith I balance like a straw 
To strike the Hebrews dumb with fear ; 
Confounded at my sight they fly — 
Ye dastard slaves, my challenge take, 
Give me your stoutest neck to break, 
A Samson give me to defy ; 
In twain I'll split him with my brand, 
His fall or mine this bi'oil shall end — 
Ye freemen ? slaves, it is a lie ! 
Philistia has forged your chain, 
I treat you, cowards, with disdain, 

45 



You shrink in silence, I know why. 

By Dagon's holy head I swear 

That if I fall ye shall be free, 

Our masters you, your servants we ; 

But if I slay him who will dare 

To meet me fighting fair and square ? 

Yours be the yoke forever tight ; 

As beasts of burden ye shall brave 

The toil and scourging of the slave. 

Send forth a man, a man to fight ! 

Ah, Israelites, and chosen, too ! 

Ye leprous brood begot of thieves, 

I scorn your wizards, loathe your chiefs, 

Your God is false, our Dagon true. 

Come, bloated bellies, I will rip 

And disembowel a score at once. 

Bark, howl or cackle in response, 

Come and be smothered by this grip. — 

But, holy Dagon, what is that? 

AVith stick and bag, — the shepherd's gear, — 

A dwarf to wriggle on my spear. 

As quick as mouse, as fierce as rat. 

(Enter David.) 
Ha, ha, ha, ha ! what is it boy 
Thou wouldst discover hereabout ? 
What fury, Dagon ! spit it out ; 
The nurse, the nurse — am I a toy? 

David. Thy death, thy death, foul heathen hear. 
Death follows me, Almighty's will 
On thee, base villain, to fulfill ; 
Cease cursing, dog, thy death is near. 

Goliath. Death, short-legg'd puppy, follows thee. 
That by this trusty sword I may 
Divide thy corpse for beasts of prey ; 
Or will thy shabby panoply 
Defend thee, armed with a rod ? 
Hush, fly hence, dwarf, and be not loud, 
Or I will hurl thee to the cloud 
And scare the vanguard of thy God. 
46 



David. Thy tongue shall wither, filthy svviue, 

Whose boast is bulk of flesh and bone ; 

My strength is Jah, the Only One, 

Whose hosts throughout the heavens shine ; 

The sea congealed before His Breath, 

At His command the Jordan fled, 

With manna He our sires fed. 

He fights our battles, sealed thy death. — 

Vile heathen, tremble at this hour, 

Before God's Ark thy Dagon fell, 

With him thy soul descends to hell, 

Hyenas shall thy flesh devour. 
{Goliath aims a thrust at David, iv hie h he evades, draw-s a stone 
from hi'i haij, flings it at the Philistine's head, ivho falls on 
his face, whereupon David rushes at him,, tears the sword 
from hifi side, beheads him and carries off the trophies. A 
great shout of joy is heard , followed by a cry : " They fly, they 
fly, pursue the Fhilisti)ies/" Hebrew troops rush acro)^^ tlie 
mlley headed by Ah)ter, Jonathan, Doeg and Saul.) 



Scene Y. — Gibeah. A Street. Citizens. 

First Citizen. They are all flocking to the gates to see 
The king and army march into the place, 
But stiffened limbs advise me that I wait 
Until they come this way. 

Second Citizen. They say the girls 

Are out to welcome them with dance and song ; 
The damsels will precede them hither dancing. 

Third Citizen. 'Tis here the girls will gather to receive 
Our soldiers crowned with victory ; sure, sure. 
The Philistines have got it hot and heavy. 

Fourth Citizen. 

Hush, hush ! our soldiers croivned with victory — 
The merit is they sought the back of those 
Who ran ; it is that youth has done it all ; 
He must be mighty plucky, he — 

47 



First Citizen. For sure, 

It needed more tban sneezing to undo 
That giant beast who cursed King and host. 

Second Citizen. Our big-ones held aloof, 'twas too much fun-. 

Third Citizen. That little one will be the son-in-law 
Of Saul, whatever be his pedigree. 

Fourth Citizen. Pah, pedigree, he is a lion's cub, 
A son of Judah's lusty tribe and as 
A Hebrew claims his title rooted in 
The blood and story of the stiff-necked race. 
Our kinship dates from Abraham's household, thence 
Unbroken till this day, cemented even 
By thousand faults and follies common to 
The stock that, heavenly choice advancing, errs. 

Second Citizen. Why, yes, did we not all in common do- 
Some good and evil things? 

First Citizen. Ay, ay, some good 

And evil things, and of the evil more 
Than of the good we did, yea, all of us; 
The prophet's view thereof is mine ; we are 
So mad to ape their fooleries whom Israel 
Should lead, that were the pagans in a fit 
Of crazy wantonness to mutilate 
Their ears, or crop their noses, hang me, if 
Of twenty Hebrews five would be undipped. 

Second Citizen. One, one, say, one ; grim Moloch's patronage 

Among us bears me out in this. 
Third Citizen. If we 

Be such a pack, why not a Noah's flood 

Invoke to drown us, worthless puppies ?— Tush I tush'l 

The angels make no golden calf, nor cry 

For meat, or swear at obstacles, because 

They get no chance to run astray, nor have 

An appetite for aught Temptation shows 

To wake a tenfold passion in man's heart. 

Then answer this : The good are poor, the bad 

Are rich ; the wicked rule, the pious suffer ; 

The cripples live, the stately die; why ? — See, 

48 



This makes one doubtful as to matters here. 
Indifferent as to consequence hereafter. 

First Citizen. Thou art not wise to question thus a Power 
We may well dream of, never comprehend ; 
If God to our conception open were 
He were too small to rule or be adored. 

-Second Citizen. 

Make room, make room, the damsels and the King 



(^Eider dam-^els, instruments in hand, dancincj and singing.) 
Joy throughout Jeshurun ring. 
Scattered lies the tyrant's host. 
Sing Jeshurun of thy King ! 
King and hero claim the deed, 
King and hero laureled come, 
Saul did strike the thousands dumb, 
David made the myriads bleed. 
{Exeunt damsels, troops pass, led by Jonathan in company of 
David and Ahner^ follotved by Saul's bodyguard and Doeg.) 

Saul (remaining with Doeg). Doeg — 

Doeg. Thy Majesty — 

Saul. Did I hear right ? — 

Doeg. What does Thy Majesty refer to? 

Saul. What? 

Fool, what ? I am not deaf, art thou ? 

Doeg. My liege — 

Saul. Dumb head, — thy ears — it is no dream, no, no ! 
The wenches said it, sung it, sing it as 
They pass along the highway, gall, gall, gall ! 
"Saul did strike the thousands dumb, 
David made the myriads bleed!" — {To Doeg.) 
Didst thou not hear it ? 

Doeg. Sure, I did, my liege. 

vSaul. It is a lie, it is a lie — my head — {Touches his forehead.) 
It is a lie! — Go, have my coach prepared. — {Exii Doeg.) 
That was the ring of doom, the death-knell of 

4 49 



The House of Saul ; he is the coming man, 

The better man, my kingdom's heir ; none else 

But Jesse's son. Oh, that I cannot hate 

And rave more than I do. — Grim Destiny, 

Why call thee Providence, when things go wrong, 

Go queer, go strange, go mad, run riot here 

Below, where beast does feed on beast and man 

On man ! (laughs wlldhj) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ! 

Goliath, Goliath, live again Goliath ! 

Less hateful to my sight than that red-cheeked, 

Unspeakable executioner. — Who is he ? 

The moon eclipse the sun ? a slave usurp 

A throne? If Samuel be for him — venom ! 

The nation's hero, who made the mj/riads bleed, 

What stands between him and the kingdom's crown '? 

What? Saul shall rise in manly majesty 

Unconquered till this heart, uprooted, cease 

To throb ; no, not unfought shall he my throne 

Ascend ! The son of Jesse — meseems the owls 

Are howling son of Jesse. Small thing, yet big 

And deathful as a drop of poison in 

The body coursing to the red roots of 

The vital seat. — My reason is untuned ; 

I burn as tho' a rotten swamp had all 

Its deadly fevers lodged in me, that Pest 

A centre have, delirium find a home. — 

Where Sodom and Gomorrah buried lie 

The sea is dead, its exhalations foul. 

The cloud thereof him maddens, who its shore 

His bed makes for a night ; what maddens me ? 

Saul, be not mad — my throne, — my head, my head — 

(His is on the point of sinking when Jonathan rushes in to catch 
his fall. The curtain falls.) 



SO 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. — House of Saul. A Koom. 

(David and Michal.) 

MiCHAL. He will not slight his promise, now that thou 
Hast bravely thine redeemed, destroying thrice 
Their number whose defeat should make me wife 
To thee, beloved. It was a whim of his 
And thou hast gratified a gloomy King. 

David. May thy prophetic spirit truer prove 

Than mine, O precious girl, whom I by right 
Of love and conquest claim. How oft did I 
Not set my life at naught that I possess 
Thee, dearer to me than thy father's crown? 
Thy inspiration, dearest, braced my arm, 
That slew the giant Philistine ; since then 
No expedition failed entrusted me. 
Yet in acknowledgment thy father gives 
Me hollow promises and hollow looks, 
Tho' him I serve, revere and love but less 
Than thee, the focus of my blissful dreams. 

Michal. Oh, dear, believe me thy impatience is 
Of mine the smallest half, so do I burn 
To be in thy possession unreclaimed. 
Yet wait another change of moon ; bright hours 
May on my father dawn, who should our love's 
Profoundest pity move ; thou knowest well 
His heart, alas ! King Saul is not himself 
Of late, all drowned in his thickening night. 

David. Am I not here his melancholy to 

Dispel by harp and voice? And, lest my chance 
Be scarce to meet my soul's adored, I will 
Not pray that Saul to cheer return too soon. 

51 



MiCHAL. How cruel, naughty minstrel ! David, comes 
It from thy heart ? 

David. Wouldst thou be happy if 

I loved thee less ? 
MiCHAL. No, love me more, if room 

Be in thy heart unfilled, let love prevail. 
David. There is no more of David, sweetest, than 

The love he bears thee unrestrained ; the rest 

Of him is worth its weight in useless dross. 
MiCHAL. Ah ! thine the word to utter forth thy heart, 

While I, with flow of speech ungifted, must 

My feelings leave unuttered, as for years 

I buried them unquenched in smouldering flame. 
David. For yearKf how stands it with thy count, my girl? 

Would mouths not nearer come reality ? 
MiOHAL. No, years, years, years ; the shepherd boy I loved 

Not less than I the famous captain love ; 

I then thy shadow worship'd, not thyself 

David {draiolnr) her hand to his heart). 

Ah, Jonathan hath told me how my song 
Had drawn you thro' the thicket where I sate 
Unconscious of Intrusion's curious eye. 
I sung of angels and a cherub came 
To bless me with a grace benign, and earth 
Make heaven in all that shapes felicity. 
If balance could affection weigh, or space 
Give yearning measurement, I have in moons 
Thy cravings of long years requited full. 

MiCHAL. How deep, how great, how brave, how noble thou, 
And I untutored, risen to a title by 
No merit, thee to own ! How wonderful 
Is love ! And, idol of my heart, did not 
Love's Muse to thee her sacred seat reveal ? 

David (strikes the harp). 

In heaven there blossoms a fruit-bearing tree 

Whose roots are as flowery and green as its crown, 
The fountains that water it send forth in glee 
A river, man's anguish and sorrows to drown ; 

52 



Presh in its fair branches the zephyrs take rise 

Whence hope flows and rapture in unseen streams ; 
The cherub, the seraph, they reach in the skies, 

Who earthward waft ever ethereal dreams ; 
Immortal its leafage, unfading its flower, 

The choicest of wonders it bears in God's grove, 
Its fruit taste the lovers who mate in a bower, 

We taste it, sweet maiden, thence radiates our love. 

{She falls in his arms. Enter Jonathan.) 

JoxATHAN. Now, now, look out, brave minstrel — Michal, what 
Is this? and wherefore thus? {Exit Michal.) 

David. Thou ? Jonathan — 

Jonathan. I, Jonathan? — be glad that I am he 
And she is she, else — very well, I see 
It is all settled as to thee and her. 

David. And ought to be so as to everyone ; 
I hold thy father's promise unfulfilled ; 
Thy sister loves me and is loved, what more ? 

Jonathan. My trouble is that I thy troubles share 
Too willing and no remedy can ofier ; 
It will be thou, however, David, thou 
In all ; a little patience have and wait. 

David. And wait ! I do, reluctant, I confess ; 
Nor would another time I be deceived. 
If I delay can hinder for my best. 

Jonathan. My father has his ways and whims and moods. 
And in this state I find it waste of breath 
To reason Melancholy out of him ; 
Thy harp can do it readier than thy friend. 

David. The spell is broken, if I judge him well ; 
Meseems my strings affect him less and less. 
While in his presence I uneasy feel. 
Who eyes me with a scorpion in his look. 

Jonathan. Art thou unerring in thy inference ? 

David. His actions undeceive me, Jonathan ; 

There brews in him a something that forebodes 



No good for me, I am afraid, despite 

Of services I rendered at a risk 

Your Abners would not run. Indeed, indeed. 

He treats me not like those he loves and honors. 

Suspicion on his forehead brooding hovers. 

And of his hatred I appear the butt. 

Jonathan. Conjecture, nothing but conjecture is 
Thy fancy's food ; my father is at war 
With self and all the world, thyself within 
Its bounds, and everyone who smiles, as tho' 
In mockery of his dim unhappiness. 
If danger threaten thee will Jonathan 
Be far or lukewarm in his love to stand 
By him he of a people chose his friend ? 
Be unalarmed, Michal and myself 
Have eyes and ears, and in thy hand the key 
Is to our hearts. Begone, there comes the king ; 
Let us be hereabout — he is alone. 

(^Exeunt Jonathan and David. y 

Saul {enteriwj cjloomihj). 

If murder be a crime, who put in us 

The passion that in Tophet revels ? and why 

Is Youth, yea. Infancy nipped in the bud ? 

So was I born unasked, unasking Avhat 

I should or should not be ; had I been asked 

And shown futurity, I should have prayed 

To be the dust of dust, the slime of streams, 

The mud of slums, a stone, a tree, a nothing 

Rather than a creature with a heart that aches. 

That bleeds, that sighs, longs, feels, and hates, and plans 

Forbidden things. — Forbidden things? what is 

Forbidden to a man who, drowning, on 

A straw lays hold the current brings adrift? 

The son of Jesse is the straw I would 

Submerge to save my house ; but all the steel 

This earth containeth forged into arms 

Cannot a bubble under water longer hold 

Than Nature's adamantine law would have it. 

Him Samuel favors, I suspect, and him 

54 



The people lionize, tbe Chemosli of 

The day, forgetting me and mine ; — gall, gall ! 

The son of Jesse, what is he and who ? 

An instrument in hands I cannot see. — 

I grapple with invisible foes of whom 

The space is full : hobgoblins, witches, black thoughts. 

Unsightly phantoms haunt my brain ; but I 

Shall face my enemy with such a frown, 

Shall strike such blows at them my hand may reach, 

That ghost and ghoul will shudder at my wrath ! — 

]My wrath ! was it a voice that mocked me ? 

It was a ghost that laughed — I see his eyes ; 

Samuel, Samuel! thine eyes, thine eyes— avaunt! 

(Sinks on a couch. Enter David.^ 

David (playing and singing). 

The Avelkin is laughing, the East is aglow. 

And hill, vale and meadow with pearls are strewed. 
The bright jewels of azure are spread here below, 

Each morrow we see God's creation renewed ; 
His earth is and ocean, His all they contain, 

But less than an angel man rules here supreme ; 
Why grieve, then? Avhy sorrow? Avhy wither in pain? 

Rejoice at thy station, make heaven thy theme. 
Pass thro' Baca's anguish, creature of dust ! 

The stars are all rising and shining for thee ; 
Immortal thy spirit, forever to last, 

From heaven to heaven it shall rise in glee. 

Saul (laying his hand on his javelin). 

What voice is this ? and who art thou uncalled 
To harp on my derangement? 

David. Thy servant, king. 

And loyal minstrel, Jesse's son am I, 
Thy pleasure having prompted him to let 
His youngest thy convenience serve. 

Saul. Thou son 

Of Jesse, hast more demons harped into 
My crazy head than may three thousand trumps 
And cymbals exorcise, and lest thou darest 

55 



Another goblin conjure for my brain 
As lodging, let this javelin find a bed 
In Jesse's treacherous brood. 

(^He hurls the javelin ; David e^capes.^ 
I missed my aim — 
He fled unhurt, and I red-handed stand — 
A mad assassin. — It is he the whim 
Of Destiny has chosen my tormentor ; 
Had any girl a steel sent at my breast 
An evil spirit buried to the hilt 
Therein the weapon : ever true, mine eye 
This once was cheated of the hateful mark, 
Because the fiends are all in league against 
The house of Saul. — Well, now? he is not slain? 
The son of Jesse, is he dead? {Enter Jonathan.) 

Jonathan. Thank heaven 

He is unhurt, tho' wretched we, my lord, 

And bleeding from the wound of shame and sorrow. 

Saul {shaking his head). 

Ay, shame and sorrow — son, art thou his friend ? 

Jonathan. There were but little left of manhood in 
Thy Jonathan were he not David's friend. 
Whose matchless prowess shed a glory on 
Thy rule, he, the terror of the Philistine. 

Saul (angry). Thou offspring of a stubborn mother, hear 
Me, son of blind perverseness ! die he must, 
The son of Jesse, or thou wilt live to see 
Our house the vulgar level take and he 
Assume ascendency above the sprouts 
Of Saul ; it must not be, it shall not be ! 
To-day, to-morrow, Jesse's whelp must die. 

JoxA'PHAN. Forbid it, God, that Murder be thy prop ! 
Kind Providence decreed it otherwise ; 
One of thy issue shall thy sceptre hold, 
And this but thy acquiescence needs to be. 

Saul. Give him my daughter ? — 

Jonathan. The best of maidens to 

The best of men, and promised long ago. 

56 



Saul. Thou art not sure that Samuel favors him ? 

Jonathan. I know on him the propliet's eye is fixed ; 
How far his favors go I cannot state. 

Saul. He has the people's sympathy withal, 

And thou and Michal scheme to make him safe. 

Jonathan. He is beloved of all, the chivalry 

And grace of Judah's tribe, a man of song 
And steel, undaunted as the lioness 
When after him who carried off her young, 
Thus fully woi'thy of a princely maid. — 
Withhold no longer, father, thy consent; 
Make him thy pillar, making him thy child. 
Who honors thee and loves as one of thine ; 
Let Peace unruffled dwell within our house. 
Serene Benignity thy rulings grace. 
And may thy reign be long and prosperous. 

Sat:l {after a pause^. 

The chick is wiser than the hen, such be 

The newer course of things ; wherefore I do 

Submit, outvoted, as I am and in 

My judgment minor stamped. — But say, my boy, 

Thy sister's readiness to be his wife. 

Art thou thereof assured ? 

Jonathan. As hungry babe 

For mother's breast, or he for crystal fount. 
Who parched in the desert wanders, longs 
My sister for his life's companionship. 

Saul. Enough, let shrine and altar for the rite 

Be decked that will them husband make and wife, 
And let the ceremony be undelayed. 

Jonathan {delighted). This moon ? 

Saul {mpiificantly). To-morrow — make it known ; to-morrov\ . 

Jonathan. Thrice blessed the hour that shines with promise of 
Unclouded peace within and strength without. — 

{Exit Jonathan.) 

Saul. Suspicion led lue not astray ; he is 

The man who, tho' uncrowned, is deeper in 

57 



The people's favor rooted than their Kiug, 

AVho am within the shadow of my walls 

Outwitted, isolated by his tricks ; — 

My children his in heart and soul, and I 

Alone, alone ! — It is unwise to let 

One's reason go, or have it upside down. 

But I am thus impelled beyond control, — 

Perish, perish, the son of Jesse perish ! 

I have him now, I have him safe — Doeg I — 

Frown Destiny, I am at odds with thee. (Enter- Doeg.) 

Doeg. My liege — 

Saul. Art thou a man that fears a thing ? 

Doeg. A man that fears a thing, is he a man ? 

Saul. Well said, Doeg ; I'll put thee on thy mettle. 

Doeg. Be hell or devil in the task, thy best. 
My liege, shall be fulfilled. 

Saul. Now, hear and mark ; 

My daughter, Michal, marries Jesse's son 

To-morrow. 
Doeg. To-morrow ! — 

Saul. I mean to mark the day 

By an exploit to be remembered long, 
And thou shalt in this emprise be my arm. — 

Doeg. Thy pleasure's instrument am I ; command. — 

Saul. First, they of Gibeon, who dwell among 
Us, shall to-morrow's nuptials not survive. 

Doeg. As chaff we sweep them off to-morrow, King. 

Saul. The witches chase, and spare not one to see 
To-morrow's eve. 

Doeg. They shall be blotted out. 

Saul. Thy crowning Avork — recoil not from the task: 
Whose execution I shall with a weight of gold 
Reward — his head, possess me of his head ; 
I hate the basilisk ; — get me his head. — 

Doeg. His head ? whose head, my liege ? 

58 



Saul. Did I not speak 

Of Jesse's traitorous offspring ? 
DoEG (astonished). The captain's bead? — 

Saul. Its weight in gold be thine. — 
DoEG. To-morrow night ? 

Saul. The bridal chamber hide his headless trunk. — 

DoEG. It means to catch the devil in his den. {Aside.) — 
I wish he were not with his bride when I 
Descend on him ; the princess will protect him. 

Saul. Tear him from her bosom, and if her heart 

Be torn he shall his nuptials rue and bleed ! (Exit Saul.)' 

DoEG. It is a madman's charge, who is a king, 
And villain tho' I am, and hater of 
Old Jacob's progeny, a tiger in 
His lair I bearded sooner than that cub 
Of Jesse in his bride's embrace. It is 
A hawk of iron beak and claws I am 
To hug. As for the others Edom's thirst 
For sport is roused in me ; there be some fun 
In this and frolic; I must pick my men. (Exit.) 



Scene II. — Ramah. House of Samuel. 

Samuel (on his death-bed ; his sons, with Nathan and. Gad). 
My sunset came, with night eternal for 
The flesh and light unebbing for the soul ; 
I had my fill of toil, my fill of years ; 
Farewell, farewell, my pilgrimage is closed ; 
Let earth her clay reclaim, the soul soar forth. — 
Now, come, sweet mother, angel, Hannah, come 
To meet me at the gate. 

Nathan. She will arrive 

Whose invocation heard at Shiloh's Fane 
Gave Israel thy self, endeared lord. 

Samuel (pathetically). 

She wept and vowed : " If thou wilt look on the 

Affliction of thy handmaid, and remember 

Me " — saintly woman ! — " and not forget thy handmaid,. 

59 



But wilt give to thy handmaid a man-child, 
Then will I give him to the Lord forever, 
And there shall come no razor on his head."— 
Forgive, angelic dame, forgive, if I 
In aught offended thee unknowing, thou, 
My soul's ethereal inspiration ; Oh, 
Descend, await me at the gate ! 

Gad. Who shall 

Hereafter lead u?, master, thou being with 
Thy fathers gathered and in heaven's bliss? 

Bamuel (raising himself inspired). 

The Lord will Judah gird with might, 

Jeshurun shall not orphaned be ; 
A vision rushes on my sight, 

A maze of light and mystery. 
Upshoots the sprout of Jesse's line. 

The world doth wonder as it grows, 
The Voice I heard at Shiloh's Shrine, 

Before my gaze a shadow throws, 
A shadow creeping over earth 

With sorrows fraught and sights of woe, 
As woman in her throes of birth, 

The tribes shall travail to and fro, 
Unpitied by a ruthless race 

In error sunk, degraded, blind ; 
Dark powers rule, Truth hides her face. 

The heart is frozen, dead the mind ! 
Man worships matter, idols vile, 

Old Jacob's House the folly shares, 
False prophets Israel's seed beguile. 

He sins, he sinks, his guilt he bears ; 
But Heaven will Messiah send 

To heal mankind, arouse the dead, 
The mountains shake, the heavens bend — (Ecstatic.) 

There she descends Elkanah wed. — 
Ah ! angel mother, Samuel yearns 

To lay his head upon thy breast, 
Wiih thee to God my soul returns — 

Oh, kiss me. Lord ! — I sleep — I rest — (Dies). 
60 



Nathan (after a pause of grief ). 

The King and nation be informed of 

Their great bereavement ; Samuel, Samuel — dead 



Scene III. — Home of David. A Room. 

(Enter two fiervants.) 
F1R8T Servant. We had a good bite this time, had not we ? 
Second Servant. Yes, and a sip that savored well ; merry,. 

The gulp I had was worth a sea of — what 

Shall I say ? — yes, a vintage of thin juice ; 

It was a royal banquet all in all ; 

The cook has done his best, and so the butler. 
First Servant. I should say rot/al ; such a heap of good 

Things makes one dizzy to behold, and if 

A fellow gets a taste thereof, he feels 

Like whirling on his toes. (Dance-'^.) 
Second Servant. Merr}'-, merry. 

The King was jolly, laughed and quaffed; but 

The gossips have their say as well, and I 

Heard people whisper things I won't repeat. 
First Servant. I heard them say it boded evil, that 

A raven lighted on the altar while 

The priest the sacred wine the bridegroom gave 

To taste. 
Second Servant. Prince Jonathan was pale as death, 

The black-bird screaming like a demon hoarse 

And angry ; that was strange. 
First Servant. Maybe it was 

The evil spirit that torments the King. 
Second Servant. Why not one of the witches slain by Saul's 

Command ? Suppose it was a Avitch, why not ? 
First Servant. Maybe, maybe ; and what a horrid flock 

It were if all the eighty witches killed 

Had swarmed croaking o'er the couple's head. 
Second Servant. By Samson's beard, the couple will be here 

Before we have their bridal chamber put 

In trim ; — there they come cooing, cooing, cooing — 

(Exeunt servantsJ) 
61 



(Enter David and bride.) 
MiCHAL {Dctvid's arm around her waist). 

The night is dark, yet do I sun and moon 

And stars behold ablaze, beloved, so bright 

Appears all space and radiant since thy heart 

With mine in blissful concord throbs ; it is 

A harmony that holds the sum of all 

Felicity ; if choice were given me 

To pick of all the stars the fairest to 

Be mine, or have thee as my lord to serve, 

I would exclaim : Let me his handmaid be 

Forever, ay, forever. — (Rests her head on his breast.) 

David. His queen forever, — 

Forever ! sweetest ; knowest thou the deep 
That word conceals ? 

MiCHAL (looking up to him). If it be deeper than 
My love for thee, thy love for me, then let 
The sounding lead descend for aye, it can 
No bottom strike. 

David (looking tenderly into her erjes). 

My Eden's blessed cherub, 
Forever wedded means two souls on earth 
Forever welded into one to be 
Forever one hereafter ; such our union. 
Thou art my hope's fulfillment, with no wish 
Left, vast as is the boundless Universe. 
Of God's creations the most precious here 
Is virtue's loveliness personified 
In gentle womanhood, like sunshine rich. 
As moonlight mild, omnipotent as love ; 
And lovelier than Beauty clad in Grace ; — 
So much art thou to David, maiden blessed. 

MiCHAL (attentive). A hurried, heavy tramp I hear — 
David. It is 

The wind ; what else at this late hour ? 
MiCHAL. A man 

Is at our entrance — (Jonathan knocking without). 
Jonathan. Open, open at once! 

62 



David. 'Tis Jonathan — (Opem the door. Enter Jonathan). 
Jonathan (to David). Fly, fly ! save thy life, or death 

Will overtake thee in a trice ! 
MiCHAL (terrified). Great God ! 

David. Who is he I am to evade ? 
Jonathan. Their hands 

Are reeking with the blood of Massacre — 

Get out — Doeg is after thee — get out — 
Mien aIj (in great fear). 

Whither ? there is one alley leading hence — 
Jonathan. And barred by Murder who is hither bound. — 
David (alarmed). 

Hand me a sword — I am unarmed — a sword ! — 
Jonathan, That window pass for open space, I'll bear 

Thee company. 

(Exeunt David and Jonathan thro' the idndow.) 
MiCHAL. The raven ! — Lord — my husband ! 

(Enter Doeg and nien.^ 

Doeg. Forgive, my princess, but the King must have 

His head. (Enters the next room followed by his men.) 

MiCHAL (in agony). 

The King must have his head ! A pit 
Of serpents hiss into my ear — the King 
Must have his head ! (Re-enter Doeg ivith men.) 

DoEC4, The captain is not home — (aside) 

I could have caught the bird had I no cause 
To give him a wide berth. (To his men.) Come, he is gone. 

MiCHAL (as before). 

The King must have his head ! my love, 

My husband ! (to Doeg) Go, inform the King, that he 

My blood may shed instead of his, whom all 

The ministers of love and grace protect. 

Doeg (ivhispers into her ear). 

Thank Doeg, princess, for the captain's life, 
Or Jonathan had never got the wind 
Of Saul's design. — (aside) I'll get my favors thus 
Unhurt, and let the maniac yell with rage. 

MiCHAL (as before). 

The King must have his head ! my husband's head ! — 

(The cxirtain falls.) 

63 



ACT V. 

Scene I. — House of Saul. 
Saul (to Doey). Whoever treats my enemy as friend 
I treat as enemy, is this correct ? 

DoEG. Most proper, King. 

Saul. The son of Jesse is 

An outlaw doomed to perish if within 
My kingdom's reaches found sojourning, and 
A priest, who fealty owes my throne, and loans 
Him weapons in defiance of my will, 
Is he my friend ? 

DoEG. Thy enemy, my liege. 

Saul. How did the priests of Nob the outlaw treat ? 

DoEG. With hearty welcome and an open hand ; 
The Tabernacle's consecrated breads 
They offered him, and added thereunto 
The sword Goliath bore when overcome. 

Saul (wrathful). Let there be headless priests in Nob and blood 
And wailing, even as speedy as thy hand 
May strike the treacherous nest. AVipe out that pack 
Of hypocrites, that all who hear thereof 
May tremble at the vengeance of my wrath. 
Proceed at once, while I with Abner will 
The outlaw give the chase. 

DoEG. It shall be done. {Exit Doeg.) 

Saul. Samuel, Samuel, of thy seed this harvest springs ; 
Thou art no more in flesh, yet of thy ghost 
I see the scowling visage dark and pale. 
The eye inflamed with ire, white the lip. 
The eyebrows ruffled, ruffled beard and lock. 
Thy warning comes too late ; I bear thy curse 
And would this world in blood submerge, could I 

64 



A gory deluge conjure to efface 
Mankind created to enshrine a hell 
Of torture in a flimsy cell that holds 
A burning heart, an anguished brain. Madness, 
Madness endures unmurmuring the stings 
And onslaughts of inexorable Fate. — 
Cut off my life, inscrutable Destiny, 
Why piecemeal tear my soul unguilty once 
As child's, now smirch'd with gore, devoid 
Of peace, the haunt of evil things ? Why not 
A friendly arrow let transpierce this breast 
So that therein the smouldering crater find 
An outlet and expire? The day I hate 
And fear the night's approach when Lilith like 
Medusa frowns, the witches Murder ! howl 
Into my ear, with angered Samuel in 
The background lurking, ever piercing me 
With eyes that goggle from the grave. — 
Wizard, has death no power over thee 
That thus thy image soars before my gaze ? 
Avaunt, grim eyes! The desert's lion send 
Me to encounter, not that bleached face ! — 
Who there ? unfilial Jonathan, what comes ? 
(Enter Jonathan.) 
Jonathan. The people's lamentation rends the air 
Since Rumor charges thee with sending Death 
To Nob's devoted brotherhood ; if it be true. — 

Saul. If thou beest Jonathan thy mother's blood 

Has made thee pigeon-hearted, sired tho' 

Thou art of an indomitable man. — 

Say, shall the son of Jesse live ? 
Jonathan. Why fell 

The tree that bore thy kingdom golden fruit? 
Saul. That bore the plagues of Egypt for my house. — 

Oh, my despondency ! my children dig 

My grave and I am for their welfare bleeding. — {In a rage.') 

Preposterous brood, thy life is mine, thy heart 

Is false, let me transfix it. 

(Throws his javelin at Jonathan.^) 

5 65 



Jonathan {calm). Strike again ; 

The falchion missed the heart that throbs and weeps 
For thee ; ay, pierce it, I am loath to live. 

( Offers his breast.) 

Saul. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ! I am mad ; I 

Am mad. The son of Jesse is alive. (Exit Saul.) 

Jonathan. Yea, thy senses are unfixed, ill-fated soul 
And things move out of joint, slow and sure. 

MiCHAL (rushing in). 

Great God, my husband, Jonathan, my husband ! 

Jonathan. What stirs thy fear, unless thy tidings be 

Alarming, which I know not of. 

MiCHAL. His life 

Jonathan. And mine are one, and please it Heaven that Saul's 

Derangement pass as David's life is safe ! 
JNticHAL. If his retreat be traced who will between 

His heart and father's dagger place a shield ? 
Jonathan. He who the fire-pillar placed between 

The Hebrew slave and Pharaoh's mighty host. 
MiCHAL. Ah, me ! if on a miracle his life 

Depend, then bury me before I know 

Him dead. 
Jonathan. Unreasonable wench, thy lord 

Needs less our sympathy than doth our sire. 

Who in his morbid moods estranges, one 

By one, the loyal tribes who round him rallied. 

Thy husband has a following and wields 

A sword with such dexterity and might 

As would a score of lesser warriors blast ; 

Nor shall the swiftest wind outspeed my haste 

To ward off danger from the man I chose 

Of all the idol of my inner self. 

Because of all the noblest he I met, 

And worth a kingdom, which is his by grace 

Divine, I know, and yield ungrudging what 

The Highest Will ordained. This knowledge drives 

Our father mad, who wades in blood to mar 

A rule that has been blessed many times. 
66 



MiCHAL. Thy step be winged that bears the warning him 
In hiding now and hunted by a band 
Of spies, with Saul and Abner after him. — 
Go, it means life or death to him and me. 

Jonathan. He is as safe as I am sane and Saul 
Distracted and unjust ; alas! that Reason, 
Disenthroned and dimmed, forever bides 
In dark ! How will it end ? The Philistine 
Is up and swarming, a bloody purpose in 
His bustle showing, while out of sense the Lord's 
Anointed slays his priests and meditates 
Destruction for the only arm the foe 
Has cause to dread ! 

MiCHAL (folding her hands). Alas ! 

Jonathan. Yea, weep and pray 

That things wind up in brighter fashion than 
I apprehend they will. 

MiCHAL (impatient). I stand on glowing coal ; 

Five thousand swords are up to slay my love ! 

Jonathan. Within five hours my charger carries me 
To David in the thicket hidden, where 
He preconcerted waits to hear from us. 

MiCHAL. Then hurry, lest thou come too late. 

Jonathan. Too late ! 

Too late — it is a fearful sound — too late. (Exit Jonathan.) 

MiCHAL. (Loohing after him). 

Thou art a better man than I a woman 

Whose newer bond of love all previous bonds 

Dissolved ; my husband claims my heart entire, 

My father pity grudgingly bestowed ; 

For dim as are his wits he fully knows 

The schemings of his mind, which are unholy, 

As tested by atrocious executions ; 

It is a madness rooted in conceit 

That would the sun make change his course and of 

The moon illumination borrow ; a King 

Is but a man, and often not too wise. (E.vit.) 

67 



Scene II. — Wilderness of Ziph. 
(Enter David and Joab.) 
David. Have pickets on the outlook for the prince, 

Who shall be hither pointed, while patrols 

An eye have on all passers-by ; the spy 

Make his temerity regret, else harm 

No person thwarting us by chance. 
JoAB. It shall 

Go hard with him who ferrets our retreat. 

Now, who is that, by Dagon's broken nose ? — 

{Enter Abiathar.) 

David. Abiathar, sackcloth as thy robe, wherefore ? 
Five days ago they welcomed me, thy kith 
And kin, all happy then ; what happened since ? — 

Abiathar. My kith and kin are better bedded than 
Myself, who live to howl their dirge, alone 
Of eighty-five, God's ministers, to tell 
Thee, son of Jesse, they who did befriend 
Thee murdered lay, unburied when I fled. 

David. Forbid it. Lord of Grace, that of a priest 
I learn a fabled tale, or truth unheard 
Of hitherto in Israel's wide domain ; — 
Confirm, Abiathar, what I dread to think 
Of — Murder in revenge for kindness shown ? — 

Abiathar. A slaughter, ruthless as of savage beasts, 
With one fell swoop removed old Ahimelech 
And all within the Tabernacle found. 
Four score and five of ministers, beside 
The habitants of Nob, the dame and babe 
Massacred like the rest of men and brute. 

Joab. It freezes me around the heart. — 

David. Meseems 

I hear the bittern's hollow scream, and all 
The goblins clamor — black, black, black ! — Give me 
Thereof the fuller circumstance, Abiathar. 

Abiathar. In brief or full, the King's inveterate spy 
Saw us at Nob thy hunger serve and want 
Of arms, reported this as treason to 
68 



His maddened Majesty, whose verdict and 
Its sequel I have told ; why was I spared ? — 
JoAB. That Iduraean's flesh should feed the dogs. 

David. Curse not the wolf a crazy shepherd puts 
Into his fold ; it is a monstrous deed 
Of horrid innocence we dread as we 
The tiger shun who thirsts for blood unknowing. — 
If outlawed hospitality avail 
Thee, child of woe, be one of us, Abiathar. 

Abiathar. Give me a sword, and place me where I may 

My father's murderer in deathful strife 

Encounter ; captain, pray, give me a sword ! 
David. Thy priesthood be thy panoply, my friend ; 

Thy prayer help, thy rank inspire us ; 

Let Retribution take her devious course. 

A Voice (without). The prince. 

{Exeunt Joab and Abiathar. Enter Jonathan.) 

David (after an embrace). Say nothing, for thy news is old ;— 

How is my wedded girl ? 
Jonathan. As well as love 

Unfed, as river running dry for want 

Of rain ; she is not for the present thine. 

Not thine perchance for many moons to come. 
David. Say years, a future barren of all joy. 
Jonathan. Let not thy voice bear witness to a flaw 

That is not part of thee — Ingratitude ; 

Who is of Heaven favored more than thou ? 

David. An outlaw. Death and Hatred at my heel — 
Jonathan. Not half as bad as being prince, to crave 

The outlaw's friendship as a precious boon. 
David. Correct me, Jonathan, who art in sense 

And sentiment my paragon, a prince 

In royalty of heart, unlike myself 

Who am in selfish grievance all absorbed. 
Jonathan. And I in thee my image would see mirrored, 

The greater and the deeper thou ; no, let 

The heart the tongue inspire, articulate 

69 



The soul, confirm the deed, and speak the eye, 

Truth being many-tongued and plain. As tho^ 

Thou wert of maiden loveliness the charm. 

Infatuation wove a dream of what 

The world in man calls beautiful, divine. 

And perfect, and thereon thy likeness stamped 

An idol, an ideal Jonathan 

Adores, Self-preservation yielding to 

The spell which in me threatens Nature's tie 

To loosen, child and parent binding as 

Creation and the sacred canon bid ; 

I love my sister more since thou of her 

Art loved, thou being foremost in the heart. 

D viD {grasping Jonathans hand). 

And I could sing and play and weep my love 
To thee, my Jonathan, my Jonathan ! 
Should Heaven spare me His great purpose to 
Fulfill, whatever be my state, thou shalt 
Thereof be arbiter and master. 

Jonathan. Whereof 

Thou wilt be lord, I shall be pleased to be 
Thy next in rank. 

David. No, thou shalt be the first. 

Jonathan. Enough if I the next be in thy rule. 
Who destined art to fill my sire's throne, 
O David, torn hereafter from our house. — 
Look not surprised ; with Saul our glory fades. — 
Now, as the hour is come for us to part. 
The Lord our witness be this day, that we 
Henceforth be wedded heart to heart, in life. 
In death, thy seed and mine forever ; swear, 
Thy hand in mine, that as the rainbow shines 
For aye, a covenant between the Lord and man. 
So stand irrevocable our friendship's bond 
We herewith seal in face of heaven and earth. 

David {embracing Jonathan). 

So be it, and so help us God Almighty. 

{Exeunt after embraces.y 
70 



Scene III. — Engedi, Before A Tent. 

(Enter Saul, Doeg and Attendants.') 

Saul (exeunt attendants). 

We left no rock nor cleft unscoured in search 
Of Jesse's outlaw who escapes our grasp 
And mocks our spying scouts ; conspiracy 
Assists him, else how could he thus escape? 

DoEG. No doubt, my liege, some people stand by him. 

^AUL. They would not stand if I their mind could read, 
But Oh, no throne confers the wizard's eye ! — 
The skies are darkening, and if the clouds discharge 
On us the load they bear our tent will need 
A ship to be her sail. ( Thunder and lightning.^ 

Doeg. The thundercloud 

Is rushing past our heads, your Majesty. 

Saul. It will not pass unbroken o'er my head. 
Unless it hath no thunderbolt to spare. 

Doeg. I know a subterraneous refuge, if 
My liege be pleased — 

Saul. What? underground a hole ? 

Doeg. Ay, my liege, but large enough for thousand men 
To meet as many Philistines in feud. 

(Thunder and lightning.^ 

Saul. Go have a berth for me who need some rest. (Exit Doeg.) 
Yea, wear thy grimmest visage, Nature, that 
There be no jar betwixt thy outer and 
My inner world. Lord, Thy thunders loan 
Me for a day that I the graveyard's peace 
May spread and let Annihilation rule. 
I am the crazy Saul because, encaged 
And stung, I strike my head against the bars. 
A billion lunatics who vegetate 
And perish like the dog and cat, as dog 
And cat the shadow dread of things unknown. 
Discourse of free-will, sovereignty and choice, 

71 



When every grain of sand their potency- 
Derides, and every coffin clamors : Fool ! 

(Thuvder and lightning.') 
Fool, count thy heart's pulsations ; fool, drink of 
The spring, the stream which, gathering underneath, 
A myriad rotten skeletons did soak, 
Then came to light to cool thy greedy maw. 
Then laugh, ay, laugh ! It is the thoughtlessness 
And not the thought that makes flesh happiest here. — 
The tempest sobers me of insane thought. — 

(Looking skijivanl.) 
Majestic element, mysterious might, 
How free, how grand that frowning brow of thine ! 
What worms are we, who grope and fade in night, 
Lord, send me death, or send me peace divine ; 
In bone and marrow burned, for rest I yearn. 
Let me to heaven, Lord, or earth return. (Exit.) 



Scene IV.— A Cave. 
(David, Joah and Abiathar.) ] 

David. We need a day's good rest before we start 
And this broad cavern gives the shelter we 
Require ; let the entrance be well guarded ; 
I have been warned of the King's approach 
Whose chance we frustrate by a quick retreat. 

(Exit Joah.) 

Abiathar. And if he take us unawares? 

David. We would, 

There being no escape, resistance offer. 
Or cut our way, or perish in the strife. 
Who comes? and why in such a haste? — The King? — 

JoAB. We are cut off"; his escort marches hither, 
A body armed well and numerous. 

David. Have they an inkling of our presence here? 

JoAB. No, pelted by the storm they hither fly 

For shelter, I assume ; our men are ready. — 

72 



David. The darkest corner hide our force, while we, 
Observing unobserved, the sword in hand, 
Await the sequel. — 
(^Exeunt David, Joab and Abiathar ; enter Doeg and men.) 

DoEG. Spread here the royal rug 

And cushions for his Majesty to rest. 
And hurry back to lead him hitherward. 

(Attendants do as bidden and go.) 
If a demented fool a villain makes 
His confidant, there is the dance of cat. 
And mouse. Between the son of Kish and him 
Of Jesse to bridge the chasm is neither in 
My interest nor lies it in my grain 
To foster peace, or shrink from furthering 
The devil's business at the Hebrew's cost. 
When Edom Jacob loved he reach'd the stage 
Of weak senility. Am I an idiot ? 

(Enter Saul and Abner.) 

Saul. This couch recalls the time when on the turf 
The feathered warblers lulled me into sleep. — 

(^Exeunt Abner and Doeg.) 
Come sleep, I court thee, soother of my pain ; 
Come dreams of earlier years when royalty 
Was not the burning torment of my soul. 
When, clear of guilt, the heart was throbbing mild. 
Now sin-polluted, boiling like a hell ! — 
Poor man, poor King ! How miserable to hate. 
To be the hangman's mouthpiece, strangle lives. 
Then have a hideous nightmare woven of 
The hideous deed. Forgive, kind Lord, forgive ! 
I am so deep in crime, so deep in doubt, 
So deep in woe, in error, in despair. 
That God's infinite ilercy will be taxed 
To wash my bloody record of its stains. — 
Avaunt, ye haggard spectres, scare my soul 
Not in this cave, that I an hour may taste 
Of undisturbed rest. My soul, my soul — 

(Falls adeep. Enter David and Joab.) 

73 



JoAB (draws his sivord). 

Here, finish him, the hunter of thy life, 
Or give me leave to do the thing for thee. 

David. Hold ofl^ thy weapon from the Lord's anointed, 
Whom I will shame unhurting, proving his 
Injustice and my innocence. 

(He cuts off an end of Saurs robe and they retire; 
whereupon yells are heard: "Ahner, King, SaulJ") 
Saul (upstarting). Who calls? — 

Who is it cries, King ? — 

(Enter Ahner and Doeg.) 
Abnek. Who is he that cries Abner ? 

DoEG. I hear the captain's voice. 
Saul. AVho is the captain ? — 

David, Thy waj:ches are asleep, O Abner, and but 

For God's unslumbering Guardianship, no king 
Is in thy keeping safe ; — see here the proof: 
The royal robe curtailing I withdrew ; 
Had I no love for Saul, his life I had 
In hand. 

Saul (inoved). Is that thy voice, my son? 

David. The voice 

That Melancholy held aloof from thee. 

Saul. I stand remorseful and ashamed ; henceforth, 
I swear by all that sacred is to man, 
No hair shall on thy head be touched against 
Thy will ; forgive, I see the wrong is mine. 

David. (Approaching nearer with Joab and 7nen.) 

Thy enemies, O King, are they who with 
The serpent's forky tongue thy mind against 
Me poisoned, who am threefold bound to thee 
By faith and love and reverence Israel 
Holds high and holy. — Malice not thy word 
Distrusting, Oh my King, I feel constrained 
To let a season pass or two before 
I reassured thy presence seek, and her 
Embrace that harbors Eden's bliss for me. 

74 



Meanwhile farewell ; may glory crown the head 
And house of Saul. (Exeunt David and his follower s.y 

Saul. He doubts my promise, doubts 

My constancy — the better man ; aye, he. 
The son of Jesse, is the better man. — 
Thy man, O Samuel, he is thy man. 

{Enter Messenger.) 
Who sends thee hither, and wherefore ? 

Messenger. Grave news 

I bear, my liege ; Philistia is out 
In panoply, and war is imminent, 
Is what Prince Jonathan has charged me to 
Impart your Majesty. {Enter another Messenger.y 

Saul. And what iast thou ? 

Second Mess. Grim war is knocking at thy kingdom's gate, 
My liege. 

Saul. Where stands the Philistine embattled ? 

Second Mess. His army's bulk round Endor gathers force, 
A mighty host defiant and equipped. 

Saul. Gird on thy sword, proud house of Saul, and face 
Thy fate unflinching, come what may, aye, come 
What must. {To Abner.) PhilLstia is up and we 
Are weeks behind in warlike preparation ; 
I know my Jonathan is wide awake ; let war 
Our country's manhood rouse ; the trumpet sound. 
And I myself will lead the dance to death. 

{Flourish of trumpeis. Exeunt.}' 



. Scene V. — Gibe ah. House of. Saul. 
{Enter Ahinoamand 3Iichal.) 

Ahinoam. Give it a second thought ; is he a man 

To waver in his love ? 
MiCHAL {in jyassion). Would not return 

When reassured ! Ah, woman though I am. 

My soul's devotion mocked the sight of fear 

When love the deed inspired ! 

75 



Ahinoam. Yes, men are men ; 

Who ever dreamt of Saul's propensity 
To give liis older heart to someone else 
Thau his Ahinoam ? Yet Rizpah is 
His all in all ; I am the cast-off thing. 

MicHAL. If I could poison swallow that I spit 
My gall at Treason in an angel's shape 
I were not thus consumed with impotence 
That bites itself, as reptile wriggling in 
A rage ! O David, music, truth and love 
In thee I saw embodied, treacherous soul ! 

{Miter Jonathan.) 
Ahinoam. Here, Jonathan may give thee comfort, girl. 
Jonathan. I need the gift I should bestow, dear mother. 
Ahinoam. It is of David's absence that we spoke. 

Jonathan. His presence would a host of armed men 
Outweigh at this uucheerful hour ; I am 
Distracted when I think of him and his 
Assistance lost to us thro' father's moods. 

MiCHAL. If he were what I took him for, he were 

With ua ere this ; he stole my heart, the traitor. — 

Jonathan. What ? sister, art thou mad ? 

MiCHAL. I hate his name.- 

JoNATHAN. No, show thou hast a woman's dignity 

And common sense, instead of passing off 

The love-sick, inexperienced maid. Shall he 

Return to be assassinated in 

His bed or at the board ? I should not urge 

His coming, knowing Saul's ill-hidden wrath. 

Fret not thy temper, he is thine and safe. — 

I come to get thy blessing, mother, that thou 

Mayst thy Jonathan behold again. 
Ahinoam. My pulse is beating fast, my son ; I am 

Not sure that matters look so grave. — 
Jonathan. So grave 

That I suggest immediate packing of 

Our household gear for flight — 

76 



Ahinoam. Why, Jonathan ! — 

Jonathan. God grant that I the darkness see too dark ! 
Prudence dictates the caution to provide 
You with an escort should it come to flight. 
The enemy, should we defeat sustain. 
Will make for Gibeah to sack our homes. — 
Thy blessing, mother. — 

Ahinoam (Jier hand on his head). 

Thy guardian angels. Lord, 
Protect my Jonathan, and may the King 
Return victorious with our other sons ! 

Jonathan. Amen ! (to Michal) Dear girl, suspect thy David not 
Of base desertion, farther from his heart 
Than cowardice from mine. Like thee I should 
Prefer to have him by my side, alas ! 
We have a formidable army to 
Encounter and our King is drowned in gloom ! (Exit} 

Ahinoam. If Jonathan foretells calamity 
I fear we live to see reverses great 
And dark. The King for Endor left, but said 
No word about the dangers of the war ; 
Yes, he was drowned in gloom, and so am I. (Exeunt.)- 



ScENE VI. — Home of the Witch of Endok. 

(A room hung with pictures of wild animals arouiid an ove)i tvhere- 

on a kettle is seen hoiling, the flames bursting forth 7iow and 

then.) 
Witch (a iva^id in hand). 

The stars are bright, we hate the light, 

The shades of night are on their flight 

When day breaks forth, to west or north ; 

For south and east, the Lilith-beast 

No babe can harm with hell-brewed charm. — 

This broth will foil a wizard's toil 

By magics dark to see the spark 

Of things to come from hearse or tomb. — 

{Mixing the broth.) 

77 



I laix herein a serpent's skin, 

Nine limbs of lice, twelve teeth of mice, 

A drop of gore, a tail I shore 

Of an old rat ; and of a cat 

This liver will with vapor fill 

The space around, when every sound 

Five ijiiles away I hear and sway 

The spirits small, whom I enthrall ; 

Croak, croak and groan, I know the moan. 

What comes? who uears? a man of fears. 

{Saul knocks at the door.) 

I know the rap, I hear the step, 

It is a man of doubtful ken, 

AVho wishes most to see a ghost. 

Whom I should call that he forestall 

Some pending change he would derange. 

(Saul knocks again at the'door.) 

Come in, come in, I will begin 

To weave the spell in name of hell. 
(Enter Saul disguised.) 

Thy name, thy name is one of fame ; 

I see yet more — 'tis one of gore ; 

Whoever thou, here thou must vow 

To be as brute forever mute 

And shalt deny to be my spy. 
Saul. Believe a man of honor, witch, who will 

Thy secrets not betray, and pay thee well 

If thou canst conjure up the spirit I 

Would cause to prophesy events unborn. 
Witch. (Draws a circle around the oven.) 

Prepare, prepare, while this I stir (stirs the broth), 

Of hell a share and Lilith dare. — 

Man be not weak, these brutes will speak 

As I the froth touch of the broth. 

(The animals move and make hideous noises.) 

They rouse him all, thy spirit call ; 

Why art thou pale ? He will not fail. 
Saul. If I thy spirit's peace disturb, forgive, 

O Samuel, but rise. Samuel, Samuel ! 

78 



Samuel's Ghost (appearing in a haze). Who breaks my 
peace ? 

Saul. Thy Saul in deep distress. 

Witch. Death ! I am betrayed ! 

Saul. Thy life is safe. (Exit Witch.) 

Samuel's Ghost. Thou, son of Kish, to-morrow ends thy time ; 
To-morrow will be blood, confusion, woe. — (Exit Ghost.) 

Saul. Woe, woe to me and mine ! Not that I from 
The shaft of death recoil. Oh, no ! as for 
His food and rest the tired slave does wait 
So long I for my grave, if but my sons, 
My Jonathan, at least, survive my fall. — 
Thee, son of Jesse, here I miss, too blind. 
Too jealous thy great qualities to make 
The prop and pillar of my house ; too late, 
Too late to live a hero's life, remains 
For Saul to die a King, to die a man. (A trumpet is heard.) 
The trumpet calls the squadrons to the fray. 
How, Jonathan! — (Enter Jonathan fully armed.) 

Jonathan. My care has traced thee hither, King ; 

We are on every side outnumbered and 

Besieged ; the foe is insolent, our men 

Disheartened ; wise it seems for thee to speak 

To them a word of cheer. 
Saul. It shall be done, 

And, being done, we strike ere daybreak at 

The enemy. 

Jonathan. A blow well dealt might disconcert 

His plans, confuse his ranks and give our men 
The top. 

Saul (in a soft voice). My Jonathan — 

Jonathan. Thy pleasure, father ? — 

Saul (deeply moved). My Jonathan — 

Jonathan (folds his hands in siippiressed pain). 

So dost thou credit me 
With more than flesh can bear, my lord ; I oft 

79 



Thy anger stood, but Oh ! I cannot bear 
Thy tears. 

Saul. No, let them flow, they thaw the frost 

That ice-bound held this heart for years ; yea, let 
Them flow — Almighty's means and ends are dim. — 

Jonathan (the trumpet is heard). 

The Lord Almighty cure thee of all ills. — 

Now, lead us. King, in battle with an arm 

Of steel, a voice of thunder, and an eye 

Of lightning ; lead us, for I see the gray 

Of dawn the sable sunder in the east. 

And hear the trumpet's call ; lead on, my lord. {Exeunt) 



Scene VIL — Hebrew Encampment. 

{A tvooden tower.) 

DoEG. They are all off" to rout the enemy 

Except myself and one Amalekite 

Who hangs about me like a frightened bat. 

I have the cheaper part, unanxious to 

Be hustled to the thick of battle and 

Get ventilated by a Philistine. 

I have a brain for management to suit 

My peaceful nature ; ready tho' I am 

To smother priests and witches, least and last 

Am I disposed to jump at bristling men ; 

Wherefore I wisely chose this quiet post. — 

Should Hebrew arms prevail, a flock of geese 

Will not out-cackle me in noise as to 

My daring feats, the scores I slew in passing, 

The hits I gave and took, beside a string 

Of miracles unheard of hitherto. — 

The tide of battle turning for the heathen, 

I am to hurry home and run off"Avith 

The women. Esau was a simpleton. 

(Noise of battle; enter the Amalekite.) 
Amalekite. They came to blows, they could not be surprised. — 

So 



DoEG (ascending the toiver). 

From this observatory I survey 
The battlefield. — Aha, the ruse did fail ; 
The Hebrews are outnumbered many times;- — 
The dreadful Abuer mows around him like 
A Scythian — Where is Jonathan, and where 
The King ? — Ah, there the crown, I see the crown ; — 
Prodigious fighters, what a band ! — 'Tis Saul 
Himself and Jonathan that cut amain. — 
That Abner is a savage boar ; — hurrah ! 
Philistia is losing ground ! hurrah ! — 
Mistake, mistake — the Hebi'ews waver ; now 
There is a maze of swords and heads and spears. 
Who fell ? — ah, valiant Jonathan ! — 'tis he, 
' 'Tis he ; — confusion now and fury ; — Saul 
Is raging like a tiger ; Abner has 
His hands full to repel aggression from 
The King; the King is wounded — Saul is wounded ; 
In full retreat — flying the King, no prince. 
No chief with him ; he runs for life — we lost, 
The Hebrews lost the battle ; chaos, chaos — 
The King is running hitherward unfollowed. 

{Doeg descends.) 

Saul {entering, xvhile the din of battle is heard). 

I bleed from fifty wounds, but none seems fatal ; — 

My sons, my sons, not one of them alive — 

My Jonathan the thrust did intercept 

That should have pierced this frame — Oh, here 

The man to end ray wretchedness. This sword, 

O Doeg, run it through this worthless trunk. 

(Hands him the sword.) 

DoEG. My liege — 

Saul. Spare me for agony and shame '? 

Come, friendly Edomite, obey thy King. 

DoEG. Impossible, my liege. — 

Saul. Then perish, slave — (stabs Doeg). 

DoEG (sinking). 

The furies tear thee — death — curse — hell — (dies). 

6 8i 



Saul {the din of battle heard). If man 

Be faithless, metal will be true ; come, run 
Thro' me, my trusty javelin. (Falls on the weapon.^ What am 
I made of, angry heavens, vengeful earth ? 
Ye angels, demons dark or black, the steel 
Has done its work, what binds the soul within ? 

{Perceives the Avialekite.) 
Come, whosoever thou, give me to death, 
For pity's sake ! This bracelet take — my crown — 

{Attendant stabs Saul, takes his bracelet and crown and runs off; 
a band of PhiUstines enter, discover Saul, yell ant wild with 
joy and carry off his body in triumph.) 



Scene VIII. — Ziklag. A Room. 

{David and Joab.) 

David. No tidings from the seat of war ; they deal 
In blood perchance, while we inactive let 
Our weapons rust ; I had a fearful dream. — 

JoAB. The kingdom is a trap thou hast to shun ; 

Whose fault? No whim or treacherous choice has made 
Us exiles to Philistia's advantage. {Enter Abiathar.) 

David. What news is thine, Abiathar, dark or bright ? 

Abiathar. My lord, all Ziklag is in tears, but I 

Of Nob am thinking at this mournful hour. — 

David. Bad news, Abiathar, unfold what has occurred. 
{Enter Messenger with croion and bracelet in hand.) 
Abiathar. Let him the tragedy confirm. 
Messenger {lays the valuables at David's feet). 
JoAB. Be brief. — 

David. This crown and bracelet are of Saul, great Lord ! 
Thou comest from the battlefield, report. — 

Messenger. These from the corpse of Saul I took, who with 
His sons and thousands of his army fell 
Upon Gilboa's height. The land is terror-stricken ; 
Abner alone escaped unhurt ; he fled. 
82 



JoAB. God's Judgment be extolled ! 

David (in extreme jiai't)- Oh, darken, sun ! — 

And Jonathan, what knowest thou of him? 

(Enter Elders.) 

Amalekite. His father's breast defending in the brunt 
Of battle, he was slain. 

David (in great pain?). My Jonathan ! — 

Your message, hoary heads, how will it sound? 

One of the Elders. (Exit Amalekite.) 

The tribe of Judah speaks thro' us, who name 
Thee King, the House of Saul having ruled. 

JoAB, Abiathar and Elders. 

The House of David live ! King David live ! 

David. Give me a moment, that I gather thought 
Now overpowered by emotions deep ; 
I would to God I had that battle fought ! 
Let Joy be silent, Israel must weep. (Strikes the harjj.) 

My harp, my harp, thy gloomy strain 

Vibrate and stir the solemn air ; 
The saddest, mildest note of pain, 

I need to soften my despair ; 
Weep Israel, thy crowned head, 

King Saul is gone — majestic man ! 
With him our sweetest prince is dead, 

My Jonathan, my Jonathan. 

In life they to each other clung. 

United they are wreathed in death ; 
Their prowess shall not pass unsung. 

Who often smote the strong of Gath. 
Tho' smitten by the heathen sword. 

They fell not by the hand of man ; 
It was the an^er of the Lord, 

My Jonathan, my Jonathan. 

Thy love than brother's more to me. 

As mother's care it never failed ; 
As in the maid her lover's glee. 

Within my soul thy love prevailed ; 

83 



My comfort thou in darkest hours, 

Thy death bedims my life's brief spau, 

Thy grave my better joy devours, 
My Jonathan, my Jonathan. 

Tell not in Gath our heroes fell, 

Lest Gath and Ashkelon rejoice ; 
Weep age and youth, weep Israel, 

Let woe and dirge your mourning voice ; 
Gilboa's height unfruitful be, 

No dew fall there, no breezes fan 
Its rainless bleak sterility. 

My Jonathan, my Jonathan. (T/te eurtain falls.) 



84 



J^ Q^E5T. . 



A MEMORIAL POEM 

IN TWELVE BOOKS. 



...OF 



(olU^^^Us" 



The most pretentious work that has appeared is 
'The Quest of Columbus," a memorial poem 
in twelve books. The author seems in many 
instances to have caught the true spirit of poetry, 
and sings the epic in heroic verse that carries with 
it much of beauty. His description of the lonely 
voyage, the threatened mutiny, the first sight of 
the beam of light through the darkness, and then 
the shore that broke on the explorer's view in the 
morning, are all graphic. He does not stoop 
below the plane of verse that he has set for him- 
self; he uses no tricks to win attention; the nar- 
rative and the lines are worthy. His verse flows 
easily. — Chicago Times. 

Besides the central event of the narrative, it 
relates the siege and fall of Granada, and the 
expulsion of the Jews from Spain. The verse is 
always smooth and sometimes of a decidedly super- 
ior order. Certainly the author went well equipped 
to his task.— Philadelphia Press. 

One of the saddest and at the same time most 
important incidents in Jewish history, the expul- 
sion of the Jews from Spain, is here dramatically 
and most sympathetically described. Rev. Uiowizi 
seems to have a wonderful mastery over the 
English language, and the form he has chosen for 
his ever attractive subject is &dmira.h\e. ^Jewish 
Voice of at. Louis. 

No grander theme could engage the pen of the 
poet, and while it is not to be expected that many 
Columbian epics will be as voluminous as this one, 
it is certain that Mr. Uiowizi will have many com- 
petitors in his chosen theme. This poem seems to 
deserve more attention than can be given it in a 
few lines. — Philadelphia Times. 

It tells the whole story of Columbus in verse 
which is correct in rhythm and rhyme. * * * 
Mr. Uiowizi has been a faithful explorer of the 
whole field of history in which the discoverer fig- 
ured, and those who like a metrical account of his 
labors and his mighty exploits may prefer the 
book to the many volumes of prose with which 
libraries are filled. — Philadelphia Bulletin. 

The story of America's discovery finds in Rev. 
Henry Uiowizi, a forcible, sympathetic and pic- 
turesque narrator, in a lengthy epic poem whose 
publication is timely, now that two continents are 
celebrating the work of Columbus. He has con- 
trived to increase the interest of the poem by inter- 
weaving with "The Quest of Columbus," two 
memorable events of 1492, the fall of Granada 



and the e.xile of the Jews from Spain. * * * 
The poem throughout is spiritedly written : the 
movement is rapid and stirring.— 7>z£/z5A Messen- 
ger of New York. 

Its purpose, as explained in a prefatory note, is 
to portray the almost superhuman endeavors of 
Columbus to attain his end, and his final triumph 
over well-nigh insurmountable obstacles. Inter- 
woven with "The Quest of Columbus" are the 
siege of Granada and the banishment of the Jews 
from Spain. The work is in several meters and 
the proportions are noble, comprising some io,ooo 
lines.— Philadelphia Inquirer. 

MELODY AND INSPIRATION IN 
GLOWING POETRY. 

An heroic subject, indeed ! A new world dis- 
covered ; a race overthrown ; a people exiled. In 
this poem Rev. Uiowizi presents the historic per- 
sonages of the time of his work with the powtr of 
a poet and the carefulness of a student. He has 
delved into the literature and history of his subject 
and has given poetic life to the lay figures of pro- 
saic chronicles and tedious tomes. * * * In 
books nine and ten we accompany Columbus upon 
his memorable voyage; live with him through the 
days of weary hope and agony and danger ; catch 
with him the first glimpse of the new world which 
was to be America, and throb with him in exulta- 
tion at the .successful issue of his venture. * * * 
Full of glowin" metaphors and replete with apos- 
trophes teeming with poetic fervor, the poem is 
one that can take rank with some of the best works 
of the century. There are passages that seem to 
have been inspired, so beautiful and felicitous is 
their construction. There are lines which in their 
power and beauty are equal to many found in 
works the fame of which will endure through the 
ages. Here and there the rhetorical moral admo- 
nition reveals the :.tudent and expounder of Holy 
Writ. Many lines are suggestive of Scriptural 
influences. * * « Many other passages in 
which melody and inspiration step forth in glow- 
ing poetry could be quoted, did space permit, but 
for the enjoyment of these we must refer the 
reader to the work itself, which is beautifully 
issued. — The fewish Exponent, Philadelphia. 

Rev. Mr. Iliowizi's poetic book, " The Quest 
of Columbus," has been very favorably com- 
mented upon and is regarded as one of the main 
productions of the time bearing upon the momen- 
tous discovery of the Genoese navigator. — Public 
Ledger, Philadelphia. 



The verse is in pentameter, varied with ia mbic 
quatrain, and its heroic events are told with his- 
toric precision. The opening canto is a picture of 
rejoicing at Seville over the wedding of Don 
Alonzo, heir apparent to Portugal. The second 
pictures Columbus with his son Diego, on his way 
to France, disgusted with his treatment at the 
Spanish court. The fourth canto pictures Granada 
beleaguered by the armies of Spain. The fifth, the 
fall of Granada. The sixth canto deals directly 
with the annoyances of the great discoverer, face 
to face with his enemies at Santa Fe, when De 
Talavera spurns his demands, and Columbus as 
firmly demands that they aie just. The eighth 
deals with the banishment of the Spanish 
Hebrews, and seems to be out of place in this 
story. Canto nine is finely descriptive of the de- 
parture of the Armada in quest of the new world, 
and is the best of the volume. The eleventh 
pictures the return of Columbus and the joy in 
Hispania over his discoveries. The descriptive 
pictures upon sighting the new world are of 
marked excellence. The twelfth and closing canto 
is a series of sketches of the beauty of the new 
discoveries of savage life, troubles with ene- 
mies and the homeward voyage. — Chicago Inter- 
Ocea n . 

PUBLIC LEDGER, Philadelphia. 

Pleasing alike to Mind and Ear. 

The whole is intended to teach the virtue of 
toleration and to portray the efforts ofthe Admiral 
to reach his long-sought goal. Mr. lliowizi has 
cast his poem in pentameter verse, which well 
illustrates the case and carries the theme forward 
with a sonorous roll, pleasing alike to mind and ear. 



The author displays a faculty for character draw- 
ing and ability to keep in hand the three-fold design 
of his narrative, without loss to the general effect 
The style resembles that of " Marmion." Phila- 
delphia: H. J. Smith & Co. 



THE HERALD OF CHICAGO. 

The most astonishing work, however, of the 
Columbian output is "The Quest of Columbus" 
a memorial poem in twelve books, by Henry 
lliowizi. It is an octavo volume of 350 pages. 
The first four books are written in the heroic 
couplet, the other eight in the iambic quatrain. 
It is a very remarkable performance indeed. 

THE QUEST OF COLUHBUS. 

There has been somewhat of a shortage thus far 
in the poetical side of Columbian literature, 
though there has been such a superabundance on 
the prose side that the feeling of disappointment 
has not been keen. There need be no such feeling 
now. The lack has been supplied. At a single 
effort Rev. Henry lliowizi, of Philadelphia, has 
more than filled the "aching void.'' 

It would be saying too much to intimate that 
there is anything Homeric or even Miltonic, in the 
" Quest," but it can truthfully be said that it is 
an exceedingly meritorious work. The theme is a 
lofty one, too lofty, perhaps, for the poet's muse ; 
but he has treated it with consummate skill. 

Detroit Nezvs, Michigan. 



Jewisli Dreams aim Realities, 



BY THE 

SAME AUTHOR. 



" 1 have read a great portion thereof," writes the 
Hon. Simon Wolf, of Washington, "and am 
not only pleased, but instructed. It certainly de- 
serves a wide circulation, and I will cheerfully 
speak of it at every opportunity. We need men 
and books to combat the growing prejudices." 

'•■ The Jew may be pardoned for an indignant 
state of mind toward mediaeval Christianity, and 
toward as much of modern Christianity as has not 
laid off those grave-clothes with which its spirit 
was so long bound," says the Presbyterian 
and Reformed Review. 

" I am indeed so charmed," writes Emma 
Collins, from England, "that I shall hope to 
see it adorn every table, every library, and fill the 
heart with the same elevated feelings which per- 
vade the soul of its gifted and enlightened author. 
Every page displays a mind of the highest culture, 
illumined wit \ the true spirit of our glorious 
faith." 

" I am glad to see you have so strong an advo- 
cate in one of your faith," writes Mr. Melville, 
of the Navy Department, to Simon Muhr. " I 
have read nearly a hundred pages and I need not 
say that I am charmed and delighted." 

Says The Times, of this city : " Such a book 

PRICE, BOUND 



is not likely to be welcomed by zealous but learned 
Christians; but in spite of this there is no reason 
why a Jew should not explain why he is a Jew." 

"As to your book, 'Dreams and Realities,' I 
am pleased to tell you that 1 enjoyed reading it ; 
yea, I was delighted with the fervor, almost in- 
spiration of its diction. I learned a great deal o 
your praiseworthy work," writes Dr. Alex. 
Kohut. 

" No Jew can read them without feeling proud 
of his faith, its history, and the cause for which 
he stands ; no man can read them without 
feeling a wondrous admiration for their loftiness, 
their humanity, their purity and their eminent 
practicability in regulating human conduct. * * 
A work written boldly, forcibly from the soul ; a 
bold defiance to the world, a ringing peal to 
Israel's sons and daughters to know their rights, 
and knowing, to maintain."— y^mjA Exponent, 
Philadelphia. 

" To all who are desirous of obtaining a clear, 
concise and correct view of Jewish mental and 
moral activity as it has become developed in the 
course of many centuries of Jewish history, this 
work will prove of decided interest." — Sunday 
Metcury, Philadelphia. 

IN CLOTH, $2.00. 



SAUL: 



A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. 



BY 



HENRY ILIOWIZI. 



COPYRIGHT BY THE AUTHOR. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PRESS OF AVIL PRINTING COMPANY. 
1894. 



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